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CopyrightTSl _ 

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



A printed copy of "Instructions : How to 
Accomplish the Christian Mental Healing 
Work," will be presented to any person 
clipping out this coupon and sending it with 
One Dollar ($1.00) to the following ad- 
dress : 

R. ANNA GERMAN, C. M. D., 
Los Angeles, California, 

Headquarters of the Christian Truth-Seek- 
ers' Association. 



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BY 

R. ANNA GERMAN 



ft 






LIBRARY nt CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 

MAY 9 1904 
Ceoyrlght Entry 

CLASS a! XXc. No. 



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MO <J % 

OPYB' 



COP 



COPYRIGHT, 1904. 

By R. Anna German. 

All Rights Reserved. 



Published April, 1904. 



OATES A ROBERTS, 



BUTTE, MONTANA 



Itthex. 



chapter. page. 

Preface, 

I. Sparks of Truth, .... i 

II. God and Man, ..... 19 

III. Nothing Lost in Spiritual 

Evolution, 43 

IV. Sex Affinity, 57 

V. Christian Mental Healing As 

It Is, 74 

VI. A Dark Phenomena, . . . 101 

VII. Personal Magnetism, Mesmer- 
ism, 127 

VIII. Reform, Not Formalism, . . 137 

IX. Inquiries Answered, .... 161 

Conclusion, . . . .' . . . 177 



Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get 
wi3dom: and with all thy getting get under- 
standing.— Prov. 4:7. 

In clarion voice there comes an appeal to 
reason, designating the only true way; to 
escape the pits of darkness, with their 
social and moral corruption. It bids us 
awaken, put on the armor of light, heed 
the distant call and like the wise men of old, 
rise up in one grand brotherhood and to- 
gether go forth willing to follow the guid- 
ing-star of hope as did they, to where true 
wisdom can be found, safely supported in 
the arms of everlasting love. 

Search ! for the hour has struck ! the epoch 
for earnest investigation has arrived. It ?s 
error to dwell in ignorance of our GOD- 
appointed inheritance, no matter how 
deeply imbued or time honored the 



superstitious theories of the past. We 
must renounce them and push on- 
ward if we would follow in the straight 
path of eternal freedom. To be sure it 
requires the real spirit of Christianity to 
voice truth under all circumstances, yet, he 
who would fail to utter the earnest convic- 
tions of his higher conscience is a hypo- 
crite, a coward, and not worthy to bear 
aloof the banner of true moral and social 
reform. 

From early youth the author has been a 
diligent searcher after the truth, for the 
hope that lies within us, as well as an un- 
prejudiced investigator of the phenomena 
surrounding occult and the seeming mys- 
teries of the different sciences. While fully 
aware that the explanation of Advanced 
ideas through the meager channel of a book 
is no easy task, though no fact is 
now more fully recognized, than that a 
clear, intelligent and comprehensive knowl- 
edge of any subject can be best communi- 
cated by those who have a practical ac- 
quaintance with and have made it an object 
of special study. Hence, I venture to lift 



a voice — though feeble, perhaps — in the in- 
terest of progress, making no concessions 
to opponents; but present these pages to 
earnest seekers for light. Trusting to receive 
the approval of fair-minded persons now 
and in all time to come. 

While the future success of this little vol- 
ume I leave with Him, who "Doeth accord- 
ing to His will in the Army of Heaven, and 
among the inhabitants of the earth, and 
none can stay His hand or say unto Him, 
What doeth thou?" 

For many years the author has also 
devoted much time and study to the practice 
of "Christian Mental Healing," and con- 
siders it superior to all other means for 
treating disease and sin. When fully un- 
derstood, you will find it is both natural 
and practical, however, it should be taught 
and understood from a free, non-sectarian, 
non-superstitious standpoint, and when 
taught in this light it is beautiful, intellec- 
tual, and interesting in the extreme. And 
if mankind could speedily be brought to 
see the many great advantages of this grand 
study, they would not suffer on and 



on from one generation to another in igno- 
rance of their rightful inheritance, health 
and happiness. Indeed, only this under- 
standing can bring about the fulfillment of 
the great prophecies. It alone refines and 
strengthens individuality and will keep up- 
permost the better side of our nature; then 
in the spirit of true charity, we can read hu- 
man character better. In fact, it is the only 
remedy known for all discord and suffering. 
I have in my possession scores of grateful 
acknowledgments from persons in every 
walk of life, who have been permanently 
healed of all manner of diseases by this 
grand method, and will say to any one 
wishing further information on this sub- 
ject, we will gladly supply you with litera- 
ture and testimonials if you will send your 
name and number to the following address : 

R. ANNA GERMAN, C. M. D., 

Headquarters of the Christian Truth-Seekers' 
Association, Los Angeles, Cal. 

P. S.—The author will take students at very normal prices in 
class or by correspondence course, and guarantees to teach them 
the correct principles of how to accomplish the "Christian Mental 
Healing" work, and therefore how to obtain health and prosperity 
for themselves and those who may come to them for help. 



BpntkB nf atrutl} 



CHAPTER I. 

Ye shall know the truth, and the truth 
shall make you free. — John 8:32. 

Out of darkness into light, 

Heed, my friends, beware! 

March straight onward to the right, 

Do not blind ignorance share. 

Out of darkness into light, 
Forward! Have no fear, 
Christ! our beacon, now in sight, 
Has promised to stand near. 

Out of darkness into light, 

Onward! We shall win, 

While creeds and doctrines stop to fight 

O'er the cause that leads to sin. 

If the Bible is an inspired work it cer- 
tainly requires inspiration to read it under- 
standingly; but the clamor among various 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

religious sects, claiming superior spiritual 
knowledge, appear to the close observer 
much like a manifestation of what St. Paul 
designated as "Spiritual wickedness in high 
places," since the inspired Book declares 
that spirit maketh of us a new creature, 
"Wherein old things pass away and behold 
all things have become new." It is by ex- 
ample we best teach, thus practicing what 
we preach. Yea, when we have learned to 
regard our neighbor as ourselves when we 
have destroyed deceit with honesty, when 
we have removed the "Heavy burdens" and 
allowed the millions of depressed mortals 
to go free; when GOD'S white slaves have 
been liberated from the grasp of the politi- 
cal Pharaohs, — as well as from the bondage 
of self and sensualism, — who still hold the 
children of Israel captive, then, and not un- 
til then, can we boast of an advanced spir- 
itual understanding. As Paul declared con- 
cerning his birthright, so should all man- 
kind be liberated, and if our clerical in- 

2 



Sparks of Truth. 

structors would redeem the charge and so 
fulfil their mission, they must broaden their 
efforts for blessing humanity. Progress 
should not be hindered by the ministers of 
Christ's gospel; rather, they should take up 
the work at all points, and with every hon- 
est laborer go forth armed with the Chris- 
tian advanced thought determined to suc- 
ceed. 

If we are earnest reformers we will strive 
to secure a higher platform of legislation — 
as well as religion — for the world; for only 
by so doing can we ever hope to estab- 
lish that "Peace on earth and good-will 
towards man," of which we hear so much 
and see so little. To preach right and live 
wrong certainly perpetuates dishonesty. 

Better legislation must invariably go 
hand in hand with moral advanced 
thought if truth and justice are leading. 

"To say well is good, but to do well is better; 
Do well is the spirit and say well the letter." 

We talk much of our love for GOD, but 
3 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

we are told, "If ye love not your brother 
whom you have seen, how can you love 
God whom you have not seen;" and while 
man should not seek to "Live by bread 
alone," it is useless to preach to him of be- 
ing fed with the loaves of heaven when he 
is hungering, and thirsting; or of being 
clothed with the robe of righteousness when 
he is cold and naked. "The earth is the 
Lord's and the fullness thereof," and, as 
a child and heir, man feels, and justly so, 
that he should be an equal partaker in the 
abundance of GOD'S good gifts. The 
crusts of charity are bitter; besides, "The 
laborer is worthy of his hire," said Jesus. 
As a result of industry the earth brings 
forth plenty for man's use, so the wage- 
earners should be better paid, and allowed 
shorter hours in which to perform their 
daily labor, in order that they may have 
more time wherein to devote to intellectual 
study. All mankind should be equal — and 
eventually will be, through education, not 

4 



Sparks of Truth. 

party strife. But until these advanced ideas 
meet with universal acceptance, dissatisfac- 
tion, wage slavery and crime will abound; 
and all the stately theories and eloquent ser- 
mons that may be conceived by the cunning 
intellect of mortals will not appease human 
suffering, check strife, or succeed in ad- 
justing the balance of equal rights. His- 
tory will continue to be repeated, though 
perhaps in slightly changed forms, thus for- 
ever patching up the old garment only to 
take from it the more, and error will rule 
until "Wisdom is justified of her children." 
True, we still have life and love in a 
certain measure to be grateful for, yet it 
requires the strength, the courage of a hero 
to live consistent under the present unequal 
system of legislation. There is not the 
least doubt that if the plutocrats of the pres- 
ent day could devise a convenient scheme 
for harnessing the remaining elements — 
solar light and heat, along with GOD'S 
pure atmosphere — and could profit finan- 

5 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

dally by dealing it out to the poor, they 
would seize the opportunity with as much 
impunity as they have the land and water- 
ways, — and in fact all that lives and moves 
therein; nor would their guilty consciences 
accuse them, notwithstanding thousands 
might perish from the effects of this greed 
for gold and the unjust power of posses- 
sion. 

Filth and poverty, like ignorance in most 
instances, are crimes against the great 
Giver, who has made it possible for all to 
have enough and to spare. A ragged coat 
or an empty dinner-pail is not a meritorious 
object of pity, since the ballot-box is yours, 
wage-earners, and you should make it Ihe 
instrument of justice, tempered with mercy 
for yourselves and your fellow mortals. 

Much the same as religious mysticism has 
ever regarded the Divine Being as a great 
and powerful three-headed monstrosity, 
to whose mandate they must bow in holy 
submission, be that right or wrong, so does 
6 



Sparks of Truth. 

the uninstructed individual look upon the 
head of our nation as some unapproachable 
ruling power, whose authority is supreme 
and whose opinions you should tremble to 
question, forgetting or else dimly perceiv- 
ing that the people and not the person com- 
prise the government. 

The highest and grandest benevolence 
lies in assisting man to help himself, but 
this will be accomplished only in propor- 
tion as he is awarded the full fruits of 
his labor. 

The average man is not naturally bad, 
he would do better if he knew how. Thus 
with his first lessons he should learn that 
it is the system that is at fault, and not 
the individual, and remember, a mistake 
fully recognized is more than half eradicat- 
ed. 

Were half the power that fills the world with 

terror, 
Were half the wealth bestowed on camps and 

courts 
Given to redeem the human mind from error. 
There were no need of arsenals and forts. 

— Longfellow. 

7 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

Still organizations multiply and new 
plans are constantly being formulated for 
cloaking and hindering persistent truth. 

It is evident that the Nazarene believed 
in and practiced social equalization 
in its broadest sense, not only from a re- 
ligious, but from a financial standpoint as 
well. Of His followers He declared, that 
they would share all things in common with 
each other, knowing as He did that this 
would go further than mere theory towards 
checking crime of every nature and thus 
placing humanity on a higher, more recep- 
tive spiritual basis. Furthermore, He recog- 
nized that it was useless to grasp but one 
horn of the dilemma. "This," said He, 
"ought ye to have done and not to leave the 
other undone." He was not only the wisest, 
but the most practical demonstrator that 
has ever stepped foot on this planet. To the 
man with much of this world's goods, He 
said: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell 



8 



Sparks of Truth. 

that thou hast, and give to the poor, and 
********** 

come and follow me." Again He said: 
"How hardly shall they that have riches 
enter into . the kingdom of God." The 
latter statement, however, was intended as 
a warning to all, since though it is sad to 
acknowledge, most people strive to become 
wealthy "Task-masters," and in proportion 
as they succeed, they in return usually apply 
the lash to their more unfortunate brethern. 
Man's chief aim in this life seems to be 
one mighty effort to rule, and that too often 
with the hand of steel ; nor would the tyrant 
have things different if he could, even 
though he is forced to be content with 
no other subjects than the inmates of his 
own humble household — a helpless child 
perhaps, or a defenseless woman. He for- 
gets while upholding this state of af- 
fairs that he is keeping himself, as 
well as others, in needless bondage to 
"Unreal masters." The greatest mistake 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

in existence to-day is the enforced ne- 
cessity through capitalism, for mankind be- 
ing directly dependent upon each other, for. 
individual maintenance. As the result of la- 
bor the earth brings forth an abundance for 
man's support; therefore, he should be sub- 
ject to no lesser power than that of the Cre- 
ator, while conforming his life-work to the 
system that will best promote the "Declara- 
tion of Independence." 

Mortals are extremists, but let us not for- 
get that excess is sin no matter what form 
it assumes. If mankind would only realize 
this great fact and cease striving to imitate 
their extravagant neighbors and practice 
moderation in all respects, a better condi- 
tion of things could speedily be brought 
about. By removing the temptation to sin 
and no longer placing a premium on crime, 
we would force capital to a level with hon- 
esty. 

When advancing along the line of uni- 
versal progress we should endeavor to keep 
10 



Sparks of Truth. 

within the bounds of the "Blessed Medium," 
a condition I believe prophetic of the 
straight and narrow way spoken of in the 
Scriptures. "Where the spirit of the Lord 
is there is Liberty," sayeth that Book of 
Books, and we have no better authority. 
If we are followers of truth we shall be 
free, and if we would only stop to heed 
the gentle warning voice in conscience 
we never could go wrong. We ought to 
live right for righteousness sake, and not 
through fear or superstition. To talk right 
and do wrong is to injure one's self the 
most; therefore, if all who claim the power 
of advanced understanding will cease talk- 
ing love, and practice it more, they will do 
much towards ushering in that happy day 
they all claim to be striving for, that day 
when every man shall be at peace with his 
neighbor. At present it is pitiable to note the 
envy, malice, and petty jealousy existing 
in the place where harmony, brotherly love 
and "Sweet charity" should much more be 
found. 

1 1 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

Many a bright life has been darkened 

By envious unchristian comment, 

To whom kind, cheery words had been spoken 

"Would have cost less effort, no lament. 

'Tis justice at times to remember 

The homely old adage they say, 

We are all born, but not yet buried, 

Or laid beneath earth's cold clay. 

It might have been well, at the moment, 
To put self in the accused one's place, 
And see how much wiser we'd have acted 
Had it been us, not they, in this case. 
All are apt, though clothed with soft linen, 
To have a small thorn in the side, 
And if we should stop to examine, 
There would be less reason for pride. 

When prone to condemn, pause an instant, 

And these words of wisdom recall: 
Where one person may step over lightly 
There another might stumble and fall. 
Then preen your narrow opinions, soar 
Out from the dark ages — the past, 
Study the Christian Advanced Thought, and, 
Make life what you will at the last. 

Let us be charitable in our criticisms; 
words without charity are idle; and if we 
are of the right metal ourselves, a kind act 
or word to the discouraged can do us no 
harm and may be the means of helping 
some one else over the rough places along 
life's journey. It is they who have trials 
that deserve credit, if so be they are striving 

12 



Sparks of Truth. 

to overcome; — not those who have been 
protected from society's cold frown, know 
what it is to face the mistakes of this wide 
world alone. 

What doth it matter how the earth was 
formed or a rock composed? Our Master 
likened these objects unto solid foundation; 
or, what difference does it make — as some 
aver — where Jesus spent His early manhood, 
whether in China or in Judea; we know 
that He was ever about His Father's busi- 
ness, doing good for suffering humanity's 
sake, whom He recognized were all the 
children of GOD. We forget that we may 
become "The chief enemies of our own 
household," and help to retard the very con- 
ditions we wish to establish. Yea, thy coun- 
sel has thrice blest humanity. Shakespeare ! 
Inspired poet — sublime. 

"To thine ownself be true; 
And it must follow, as the night the day, 
Thou canst not then be false to any 
man." 



13 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

Nature's laws and their causations are 
Divinely created, and the principle of perfect 
harmony disobeyed in the slightest instance 
will immediately bring forth discord. 

There is nothing mysterious after we 
learn its origin, and there is certainly no 
mystery in truth, as every real has its coun- 
terfeit, so that which seems a fact to-day 
may be proven a falsehood to-morrow. Our 
world is our educated sense of it; then let us 
fashion it aright. 

"A man is his own star. 
Our acts our angels are 
For good or ill." 

We are all architects marking out the 
plan for ourselves and the generations to 
come; therefore, we should think before we 
speak, and look well before advancing, since 
our words and deeds are undoubtedly per- 
petuated, either becoming a guiding spark 
in the ascending pathway of some glad indi- 
vidual or else a "Millstone" of misery swung 
about the neck of an already over-depressed 

14 



Sparks of Truth. 

human being, dragging him down into slav- 
ery and ignominy. In common-sense truths 
there is an abundant knowledge that every 
one will find sufficient to guide his course 
through life. His sure success depends 
upon a superior spiritual understanding of 
what constitutes right living, how to sep- 
arate the false from the true, yet, there is 
no accomplishment in reality so arduous 
that it is not possible to any one of ordinary 
capacity, who is willing to go to work in 
earnest — the right way. Close application, 
with concentration of thought and energy, 
is the secret to all success in life. Then it 
is not necessary to ask, is that person in 
earnest, for, "Where your treasure is there 
will your heart be also." Truth is no re- 
specter of persons, but "Fools dwell where 
wise men dare not venture." Thus, in con* 
elusion, I would urge parents to be able 
spiritual instructors of the "Sacred Word.** 
They should begin early to teach the little 
ones along the line of advanced thought- 
's 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

taking while their youthful minds are tract- 
able. "The words that I speak on to you 
they are truth and they are life," said Jesus. 
Too much attention cannot be paid to the 
training of our children, on whose superior 
knowledge the success of the future must 
depend, while to neglect to properly in- 
struct them is the cause of perpetuating old 
erroneous ideas, superstition born of earth 
and surrounded with dogma and mysticism. 
"Train up a child in the way he should 
go; and when he is old, he will not depart 
from it." Parents! heed this true Scriptural 
warning and instruct your child for liberty, 
love and truth — a course too high for 
creeds. Children are especially receptive 
of the right ; from their trusting, loving na- 
tures their elders might often receive grand 
object lessons; therefore, every per- 
son, male or female, who has reached the 
age of reasoning, should give a portion of 
their time to the study of these blessed 
truths of the science of creation, for accord- 
t6 



Sparks of Truth. 

ing to man's conception of the Divine plan 
will he pattern his material work. Then, 
do not stand still and allow the image of 
ignorance to become the model for your 
instructions, the law of eternal justice 
never excuses our work poorly done or for- 
gotten, whether or not that work be material 
or spiritual. 

Creeds, doctrines, and divers theories 
have endeavored forages to formulate a plan 
that would check crime, and yet we behold 
within the dawn of the enlightened Twen- 
tieth century, quite as many barbarous meth- 
ods constantly being brought to the front, for 
the purpose of assisting in war depredations 
and cruelty as of old, and, as formerly, the 
reasons are identical — gold, with the unjust 
desire to rule. 

Yea, we stand aghast with devout pat- 
riotism horrified at the sound of the assas- 
sin's bullet as it pierces the heart of our be- 
loved, wondering if we shall ever be en- 
abled to stamp this manner of criminal from 

17 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

off the face of our fair land, and yet we sel- 
dom stop to reason that we may expect 
better conditions only as we cease to sanc- 
tion systems that are constantly preparing 
to participate in the wholesale murder of 
our fellowman, sacrificing the youth of 
manhood upon the altar of greed. 

When may we hope to realize the im- 
port of the two greatest commandments, 
"Thou shalt not kill," and "Love thy neigh- 
bor as thyself ?'■ When the veil of ignorance 
shall be thrust aside, and Divine principle, 
not man; GOD, not gold, shall be recog- 
nized as the ruler of the universe. 



18 



(Bab atth Mm 



CHAPTER II. 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word 
was with God, and the Word was God. — John 
1:1. 

It is generally admitted, and wisely so, 
that a nation's intellectual capacity may be 
judged from their conceptions of Deity 
there prevalent, for according to man's 
idea of the eternal plan of wisdom, does 
he rule in the affairs of nations; this 
is as certain as any of the variable truths 
in natural science. This is the necessity for 
correct apprehension, that the foundation of 
knowledge be laid by right instruction, and 
the principle so taught as to be brought into 
practical tests of real life, is, also, neces- 
sary. Therefore, the teacher's first duty 
should be to know whom he recognizes and 
worships as GOD, whether a person, or a 
19 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

Principle. While all civilized nations are sup- 
posed to have caught at least a glimpse of 
the real Spirit, there are thousands to-day 
throughout this enlightened land whose 
idea of GOD and creation is only slightly 
above the average heathen; they are those 
persons who are thoroughly absorbed in 
their own selfish, worldly pursuits, and are 
not willing to come into the light, — "Lest 
they should be converted and healed," 
— or else they are those who are still depend- 
ent on dead forms and useless ceremony., 
who allow some one else to do their think- 
ing for them, while they worship they know 
not what. 

One of our modern agnostics has been 
credited with having made the assertion 
that, "An honest God is the noblest work 
of man." This utterance to many persons, 
no doubt, bore the stamp of blasphemy, yet 
when examined under the light wherein it 
was intended, you will find that it contains 
a moral, for when thinking of GOD man 
20 



God and Man. 

too often beholds within the chambers of 
imagery, the likeness of his own imperfect 
personality, and the apparent reluctance 
among mortals to study this all important 
subject, and so rid themselves of this er- 
roneous mistake, is still shockingly preva- 
lent. 

It is not only the belief of many deities 
that is the fault, but the wrong conceptions 
of the natures of Deity. 

The following will illustrate the average 
man's idea of GOD, notwithstanding the 
Scriptures teach him just the reverse: 

While traveling in Old Mexico I visited 
one of the ancient Catholic cathedrals 
Our party, like other tourists, was led 
by a native guide, whose duty was to 
furnish us with all necessary information 
regarding the different objects of interest. 
As we passed through the interior of this 
massive structure,* my attention was 
attracted to a large bronze statue 
standing near the altar. Of course 
21 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

I felt a natural curiosity to know who this 
wonderful piece of art was intended to rep- 
resent; I guessed it to be that of 
some valiant Mexican, otherwise, I thought 
his huge burly effigy would not have 
been permitted to occupy this sacred- 
position; but imagine my astonishment 
when told in tones of solemn accent, that it 
represented no less a personage than that of 
Jesus, the Christ. Truly, I had never 
thought of Him in this guise, standing 
there decked out in Mexican finery, a broad 
sombrero shading His low brow. It 
far more represented a likeness to heathen 
idolatry rather than the purity of a 
gentle Savior, or so it seemed to 
me, as I strolled back to my lodg- 
ing-place that sultry afternoon. The 
above incident brought to memory a similar 
experience of previous date. While in San 
Francisco, California, where I visited some 
years ago, it was one of the many cus- 
toms of amusement there — especially dur- 

22 



God and Man, 

ing the Chinese New Year — to visit the 
Chinese chapel, or Joss-House, as it is 
more commonly called, and I was, to say 
the least, very much disgusted with the 
"Heathen Chinese" mode of worship, bow- 
ing down as they do before an immense 
wooden idol, they call their "Joss" — mean- 
ing GOD. However I could argue, there 
is some excuse for these poor, unfortunate 
people; it is not so surprising that their 
highest conceptions of intelligent being 
are reposed in the likeness of a hide- 
jous looking image, one of their own race 
and kind. Thus the thought reoccurred to 
me after my visit to the old Mexican ca- 
thedral. What is the GOD of most men 
but an enlarged image of themselves ? Yes, I 
was compelled to acknowledge that they of 
the civilized nations often maintain quite 
as erroneous ideas concerning GOD and 
man as do their benighted brethren. While 
this illustration may seem overdrawn, let 
us be honest in asking ourselves, is there 

23 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

very much difference after all? If so, then 
let us turn from our idol worship, examine 
our hearts, and know whom "we acknowl- 
edge and worship as GOD." 

Jesus declared over nineteen hundred 
years ago that "The hour cometh and now 
is when the true worshiper shall worship 
the Father in spirit and in truth." 

Divine wisdom is the source of all bless- 
edness, the only power that should govern 
man. All creation expresses this intelli- 
gence from a green leaf to a planet. In 
proportion as they manifest goodness, pur- 
ity and spiritual understanding, do they 
exist in the likeness of intelligent being and 
are made after His kind. 

One of our ancient philosophers describes 
GOD as "Pure Self-Consciousness, the 
Unmoved Mover," the "Absolute Thought," 
which is one with its object, and He is, 
therefore, the first cause of all existence. 
This utterance was as a voice crying out of 
darkness, lighting up the way for eternal 
24 



God and Man. 

truth, but they of that century, like the 
majority of the present, heeded not this 
call lest they should be brought into the 
light of advanced understanding, and should 
be healed of their blindness. 

St. John also beautifully defines the na- 
tures of Deity as Spirit, Truth, Light, Love 
and the Word. From this wise teaching, 
then, it is evident that the great govern- 
ing principle is not a corporal being, as 
most theories would lead us to believe, and 
the sooner man gets rid of these erroneous 
ideas the more rapid will be his "growth 
in grace." The divine and eternal facts 
must supersede all temporal and false hu- 
man notions regarding soul and body, GOD 
and man, before we shall be able to enjoy 
the fruition of peace and harmony upon 
earth, and the true brotherhood of man- 
kind be recognized. 

In him was life; and the life was the light ot 
men. — John 1:4. 



2? 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

It is recorded in the first chapter and 
last verse of Genesis that "God saw every 
thing that he had made, and behold, it was 
very good," and here I ask how could it 
be otherwise, unless distorted by foolish 
criticism or else through a mistaken sense 
of things? 

That everything was created from the 
one Divine life-giving source, we need have 
no doubt, yet it does not necessitate that 
this great governing principle, or "First 
Cause," was, is, or ever will be obliged to 
take special cognizance of each object indi- 
vidually, as they appear in perfect order, 
moving in obedience to a given law the 
same as figures blend with the principle 
of mathematics, and notes with music, still 
one requires the other in order to express 
truth intelligently. GOD being the Word, 
all creation must have been spoken 
into existence by His Divine will, and 
this corroborates the Scriptural declara- 
tion that "He made all things, and without 
26 



God and Man. 

Him there was not anything made that was 
made." Thus by the word of His com- 
mand sprang into order a full representa- 
tion of all creation, mankind being the 
chief representative whose material form or 
mortal body in its unsophisticated natural 
state is the sensitive instrument, whereby 
intelligence is imparted to humanity. Not 
that intelligence requires any material means 
in order to exist, but mortals do; and in 
its pure, edonic state, before it has been 
touched by ignorance, caused by partaking 
of the forbidden fruit of the Lie, evil, material- 
ity, is beyond all cavil in line with wisdom's 
appointing, notwithstanding many theorists 
hold views directly to the contrary; at the 
same time they are not able to prove their 
theory absolute by getting away from sur- 
rounding environments, and like other 
mortals can only hope to improve their 
present or future conditions through pure 
desires and a willingness to advance grad- 
ually into a higher, more glorified under- 
27 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

standing of the truth of being. 

Could you take cognizance of aught un- 
der the sun, much less the workings of this 
great life-giving principle, if the intellec- 
tual faculties called the brain were removed 
from the body? To be sure, this would 
make no difference to Divine intelligence, 
who, like the principles of mathematics and 
music, would exist just the same 
without these material instruments; as the 
blackboard for instance, and the figures. 
But what would poor mortals know about 
all this? It is they who require these ma- 
terial accompaniments. Again, note the 
ingenious mechanism of the body. Could 
a false sense have been its inventor? If so 
there must be more than one Creator; a 
power aside from the great life-giving prin- 
ciple, who is all power. By thus 
speaking, we do not hope to spiritualize mat- 
ter, for that would be impossible, and yer 
it is evident that the body does improve 
under spiritual thought taking. Though 
28 



God and Man. 

not unlike the sensitive film that a photog- 
rapher places within his camera; he must be 
careful in what grade of light, and before 
what manner of object he makes the ex- 
posure. Indeed, it is something you cannot 
trifle with, or, like the careless artist, you 
will be disappointed by receiving for your 
labor an imperfect likeness, one that is liable 
to become a distorted image and express all 
the worst forms of error and discord; on 
the other hand, if wisely directed, it will 
obey naturally and beautifully, thus prov- 
ing the necessity for kind and gentle treat- 
ment. 

Because we claim GOD the Divine 
energy and Creator of all things, both in 
heaven and on earth, a statement we have 
scriptural authority for as well as common 
sense reason, it does not follow that we 
believe Him the author of a lie; just the 
reverse: He is conclusively all wisdom and 
intelligence, and did not nor could not 
create ''His opposite, ignorance, a lie." Yet, 
29 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

I cannot perceive the relation or necessary 
connection existing between the false hu- 
man sense, ignorance, and the material 
body, innocence, as one of our great moral 
intellectualists affirms. While it is true 
that all material objects are subject to 
change, a fact that proves their inferiority 
compared with that of eternal perfection in 
whom, as the Apostle James declares, 
"There is no variableness, neither shadow 
of turning," yet it is impossible to destroy 
one iota of matter, and it is certain that 
there never was a time when it did not 
exist in some form or other. Matter is as 
indestructible on this plane of existence as 
the principle that governs, and the only 
thing that can be or needs to be destroyed 
is our false notions, with their mistaken ideas 
concerning body and soul, GOD and man. 
Mortal blindness, often misnamed human in- 
tellect, is a wrong sense of things, and all 
that will ever destroy its claim to intelli- 
gence is a correct apprehension of the facts 

30 



God and Man. 

of Creation. GOD'S work requires no al- 
teration, but we need a better understand- 
ing of the Divine principle. The law of 
wisdom does not forgive our ignorance; in- 
deed, ignorance manifested is the actual 
cause of all sin, discord and suffering, and 
there is, in fact, no other devil or evil one; 
it is the only foe we have to defeat. 

Hatred and malice are always the results 
of ignorance, and so is a mistake, even 
though it be an innocent one; a live coal 
will burn the finger of a child as readily as 
that of an adult, and only universal under- 
standing can effectually destroy sin. 

Mortals express error accordingly as they 
are influenced or controlled by an inferior 
sense of things, and for this reason we should 
hold separate the belief that the false sense 
and the body are one, if we would keep its 
members from being wrongfully influenced. 
If the same hand that administers with com- 
passion, under the guidance of love, will 
also when directed by ignorance, hypocrisy 
3i 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

and malice stoop to steal, commit suicide 
and murder, is it not a proof that our mem- 
bers are merely obedient servants of the 
senses and so need to be guided by the mind 
of truth? Then let us ever remember this, 
and so keep the thought thoroughly separ- 
ate from the belief that the "Carnal mind" 
and body are one. Let us endeavor to hold 
uppermost the spiritually intellectual, 
GOD-side of our nature, for only by so 
doing can we protect the body and insure 
health and harmony for all concerned. I 
can readily see how it is that matter is no 
part of "God-good," but I cannot see how 
the body, for this or any other rea- 
son is necessarily a part of evil or error. 
The sensitive film in the artist's camera is 
no part of that instrument and is not re- 
sponsible for the image that is placed be- 
fore it. 

True, our Great Exampler's commands 
were, "Take no thought for the body," but 
is it not evident that he was addressing they 

32 



God and Man. 

of the extremely worldly-minded, they who 
were regarding the body as the main; in 
fact, about the only object in creation 
worthy of consideration? A course which if 
followed up is decidedly the wrong one to 
pursue, knowing as we do know, that the 
physical is of the earth, therefore should be 
regarded as a second consideration. But is 
it not foolish to go to the extreme with 
loud cries and silly scorn for the nothing- 
ness of matter? Especially while so plainly 
exhibiting the form of flesh, and at the same 
time not be able to prove these conclusions 
correct — that is, from any logical stand- 
point. Again, what advantage is such a 
theory, when on the other hand it does not 
contradict scriptural truths or the inspira- 
tion of scientific revelation to hold the body 
as the innocent instrument of human neces- 
sity, while to take the former stand is to stir 
up contention over a question so visible to 
common reason that it has a tendency to 
maintain a more subtle impression of mys- 

33 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

ticism and more fully establish the Adam- 
earth idea — the belief of intelligence in the 
non-intelligent, rather than sowing the seed 
of love and truth within the heart? 

All of the senses are spiritual in fact; 
they express the tones of individuality, im- 
parting either sweet melody or confusion 
proportionately as the thoughts that pass 
over them are discordant or attuned. As with 
mathematics, so the body is the surface upon 
which the senses like figures are necessary 
to convey intelligence to mankind, and here 
we may begin to comprehend how it is that 
man is linked with the Divine principle and 
obtains his intellectual faculties; it is the 
outcome of an actual necessity, to human- 
ity, with Omnipotence the real source of sup- 
ply, and who is ever equal to the demand. 
Wisdom always has and always will pro- 
vide the life-giving necessities for her chil- 
dren. 

As one moralist declares, after a long pre- 
amble over the nothingness of matter, "Di- 

34 



God and Man. 

vine love always has met and always will 
meet every human need." 

Love sends forth rain and sunshine on the 
evil as well as on the good, not that good 
recognizes evil, for as the Bible tells us, 
"God is of too pure eyes to behold iniquity." 
As in the sense of the tares and the good 
seed, which shall grow together until the 
harvest, when the former shall be burned, 
that is, destroyed with "Love's consum- 
ing fire," righteous understanding; the 
knowledge that must lead us into all truth 
— "All into truth" — whereby we shall have 
put off the old concept with its forms and 
deeds, and have taken on the new or Ad- 
vanced Thought, when there will nothing 
remain that requires to be punished or de- 
stroyed. 

Matter is not necessarily evil, it is the 
ignorant conception of the truth of being 
that is at fault, and not materiality. The 
erring human senses do not act through 
matter, they can only act upon it to influ- 
35 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

ence temporarily in some mistaken manner, 
for a time. Nor is brain the organ of infinite 
intelligence; it is the surface upon which 
rests nature's sounding-board, as it were, 
the inert instrument whereby — not in or 
through — mortals may gain a correct under- 
standing of all things ; one of the actual ne- 
cessities to mortal existence, and when act- 
ed upon by truth will impart to the advanced 
thinker only ideas sublime. 

God is not in the instrument. The change- 
able cannot contain the unchanging, yet the 
latter can and will govern the former when- 
ever mortals are willing. 

The non-self-acting instrument possesses 
not the power for effort within itself and 
must be set to work by right thought mo- 
tive, and neither be condemned to nothing, 
or lauded to something; it is non-intelligent; 
sensationless, as all machinery is, and there- 
fore should be handled with compassion, im- 
proved with right ideas and directed with 
care; neither scorned nor adored. 

36 



God and Man. 

How can we cure the body, if the carnal 
mind and mortal body are one, and this 
mind created the body, which is the 
"Lower substratum" of the false human 
sense? as one advanced moralist declares it 
to be. She infers that it is the offspring of 
that mind, which is enmity against truth, 
"Is not subject to the law of God, neither, 
indeed, can be," the mind that needs to be 
destroyed; then, she insists that this carnal 
mind is the higher stratum of matter, the 
creator of the mortal body. Now, if this 
theory be correct, then it would seem that 
there would be as great necessity for getting 
rid of the body, as its so called parent, 
"Mortal mind." Then why treat the body 
to harmonize it, this lower basil organ? 
Because we find it better attuned, less of- 
fensive and more obedient, when the car- 
nal influence is removed and truth holds 
sway; but could the child be thus benefited 
by the loss of a parent? 

To continually plead the nothingness of 

37 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

the body, matter, is to establish in conscious- 
ness a withering sense of discouragement, 
much like that by constantly buffeting a 
child with the unkind assertion: You are 
no account and nothing good can ever come 
of you; you are worthless and need to be 
punished. 

Another proof that the carnal mind and 
the mortal body are not inseparable, is that 
the body instead of disappearing, improves 
in proportion as we rise above the carnal 
sense of things and set the body free. 

Jesus removed the desire to sin, and healed 
the body, but in doing so he destroyed the 
carnal sense and not the body ; for the latter 
he improved its condition. 

When you insist that the carnal mind is 
false, is no-thing; but that the body and all 
things material are the offspring of this 
nothingness, then you are obliged to ask 
us to accept an unexplainable, impossible 
theory on faith. 

The tone of a single note is not discord- 

38 



God and Man. 

ant, it is only when struck in opposition that 
inharmony is perceptible, but this does not 
effect the principle of music ; and so it is with 
the body left alone; it expresses no error; it 
is only when controlled by the false concept, 
instead of the right mind, ^hat it shows forth 
error and disease. Anger, malice, jealousy, 
hatred, hypocrisy, lust and revenge, are the 
expressions of ignorance and constitute the 
carnal mind, discord and pain included. 
Then let inertia alone plead the nothingness 
of ignorance, the limiting and illegitimate 
influence of the carnal mind, and govern 
your body with advanced truth-thought. 

What is truth ? An eternal fact that can be 
practically demonstrated according to a fixed 
principle. What is this principle you speak 
of so often ? It is the substantial substance of 
some-thing with its "Infinite ideas," the in- 
telligent force that holds the universe in 
order. 

If GOD is love, and affinity the attraction 
or force that draws and binds everything to 
39 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

and about the Infinite, then it would seem 
that the theory, that everything was ordered 
or spoken into existence by the great love 
principle of Omnipotence must be correct af- 
ter all. Can it be then, that love is the princi^ 
pie of the nothingness — the non-believer 
would sometimes chide us about — out of 
which GOD created the world? It may be 
correct, 'That a little philosophy inclineth a 
man's mind to atheism, but depth in philos- 
ophy, surely brings the heart about to Chris- 
tianity/ 

Then scorn not, mistake not, the greatest 
and grandest word in the human vocabu- 
lary, "Christian," which means Christ, the 
annointed, the all-protecting life principle 
or GOD with us. 

Even the scientist must gather his lead- 
ing proofs .from the explanations of Divine 
nature. The controlling by-laws of every 
civilized government is largely based upon 
man's conception of the Divine plan, not- 
withstanding it is claimed that religion 
40 



God and Man. 

plays no part in science or political affairs. 
Natural scientists delve into materiality and 
divide the atoms while searching for the 
origin of life and truth, but when they find 
that the very sands of the seashore can be 
divided again and they have searched to 
the end of materiality and have reached the 
jumping-off place with but little success, 
they, too, at last, must tack onto the Divine 
chariot in their ascent above the earth, heav- 
enward. 

The time is not far distant when there 
will remain but two factions on earth; on 
one side will be the indifferent material- 
ists, and on the other side will be the Men- 
tal, Spiritual Evolutionists; there will be 
shades of differences for some time, of 
course, while working towards that grand 
object of one accord, but it will eventually 
be reached by all. 

Here let me explain the difference 
between the "Mental Scientists" as I 



41 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

understand, and the ''Christian Mental 
Healers." The former regard the human 
mind as the leading agent, and the GOD idea 
within you, as it were; a thought, however, 
not far removed from the old orthodox be- 
lief of "Soul in body," and "Life in matter;" 
while the latter, the Christian practitioners, 
cannot perceive how the lesser can possibly 
contain the greater, and on the contrary un- 
derstand that while the mind is indeed the 
man, all good is of Divine origin and is ex- 
pressed, not absorbed, by him ("Mind"). 

The antipodes of good acts and good 
thoughts are naught because they can be 
destroyed with error's opposite, — "Truth,"' 
by man, "With the weapons of God, whose 
weapons are not carnal, but mighty to the 
pulling down of (ignorant) strongholds." 



42 



Naming &00t in ^ptrttual 
?Eb0luti0tt. 



CHAPTER III. 

In my Father's house are many mansions; if it 
were not so, I would have told you. I go to pre- 
pare a place for you. — Jesus. 

All that is will exist forever, Soul, Being, 
who live and move in truth cannot be 
lost; as well might we argue that the sun 
could lose its rays or the rays their warmth. 
Soul, Being, is not a thing of the dust and 
cannot be destroyed; therefore, each indi* 
viduality must live on patiently, working 
from one stage of experience to the other 
until raised to a full realization of .bat "Mind 
which was also in Christ," but only as we 
cease to perpetuate false ideas concerning 
soul and body, GOD and creation, can we 

43 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

hope to reach this advanced state bearing 
towards true consciousness. 

Nothing good pertaining to our personal 
being will ever perish ; our joys, our friend- 
ships and love will never cease to be; will 
never be yielded up to chaos and oblivion, 
but shall go on to make up the full growth 
of a new life. Even in this small, though 
marvelously beautiful universe of nature, 
rich as it is with mighty meanings, we are 
bid to advance, in highest hope, even, 
through all the changes of our mortal allot- 
ments. For these changes and advancements 
are natural and advantageous to spiritual 
character-building, and should be attained 
without suffering. Like the sun, which ap- 
parently sinks to rest only to rise with the 
dawn of a new day, so gradually man ad- 
vances to the intellectual, through the un- 
derstanding of his spiritual, not material, 
nature. Spirituality is the Divine method 
of refining. 

44 



Nothing Lost in Spiritual Evolution. 

Though the grass may seem to perish and 
the flowers to decay, they blossom again, 
their individuality live on, will go on, un- 
folding forevermore. Generations may go 
and ages pass ; flowers may fade and mortals 
change, but the glorious truths of wisdom 
will never cease to be. All that is grand, 
good, noble and beautiful is secure 
from the molding touch of time and shall 
survive the dust. These changes are nat- 
ural, right and just; but if there is nothing 
to be gained from them, as some theorists 
claim, then man, of all creation, is the most 
to be pitied; since he is the highest rep- 
resentative of the natures of wisdom, he is 
necessarily more awake to these unavoidable 
changes. Under such contradicting conclu- 
sions, even the passing on of the innocent 
babe would seem the most deplorable con- 
dition imaginable. 

Where is the infant, what has become of 
innocence, if it has gained nothing by the 
change, and yet has not been allowed the 
45 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

opportunity to work its problem here; but 
this is not so, the pure soul needs not this 
trying lesson of human experience. The 
babe had simply reached a higher condition 
of thought than the average individual on 
the former plane of existence, and so came 
to pay the one small debt due this school of 
human experience; then went on its way, 
working out the grand possibilities of life 
Divine, into higher and holier realms. 

"It just came to show how sweet a flower, 
In Paradise could bloom." 

And "Forbid them not : for of such is the 
kingdom of God," said Jesi*s. 

So man cannot be lost, turn back, long 
avoid his duty, omit one step, come to a 
standstill or retrograde in the least; there- 
fore, every advanced step and needful 
change must bring its reward, and if this is 
not true then scientific evolution is a hoax, 
and truth and justice are merely the result 
of accident. 

46 



Nothing Lost in Spiritual Evolution, 

If life does rest in action it can, in the 
same sense, also vary in its stillness, even 
in the sense that life has caused all nature 
to vary according to the variety of neces- 
sities to be accomplished. Nature courts 
these changes, and it is impossible to say 
which one of the four seasons express the 
most grandeur. 

The repose we would seek in life should 
not be merely to rest in the achievements of 
the past; rather, it should be the peace that 
belongs to the understanding of the eternal 
principle which bear aloft the promises of 
future attainments through constant effort. 
Our true haven is found in that life only 
which keeps us forever advancing. 

No individual has ever been so low in 
the scale of existence, that he did not, in a 
certain measure, express the Divine natures, 
but the talents wisdom has given, he must 
invest, for he will not be satisfied until 
"Clothed with the seamless robe" of spiritual 

47 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

understanding he awakens in truth's 
full likeness. Because some unfortunate 
individuals appear to be lower than the four- 
footed beasts of the forest, this is no proof 
of retrogression. Why does the half-blown 
blossom wither on the stem and seem to 
shrink into deformity ? Because both flower 
and individual have raised to their zenith 
here, and like a flickering flame are less brilt 
liant for want of purer sustenance, and while 
they have prolonged their suffering they 
still have opportunity to advance elsewhere. 
No doubt such persons as those just men- 
tioned were weak and negligent on a 
former plane of thought and sought 
not for that knowledge which lifts 
above the earth, yet it is not and will not be 
necessary or wise for them to return, and go 
through similar experiences because they 
have not reached the full stature of manhood 
here; again, retrogressive course would up- 
set the Divine plan of eternal evolution and 
then progress would be impossible. 

48 



Nothing Lost in Spiritual Evolution. 

"All are children of the Father, 
Sparks from that central Sun, 
Not a soul, though feeble in goodness, 
Can be lost to the Infinite One." 

Beside, is not the Creator of all things 
as capable of furnishing as many planes of 
existence as there are expressions of 
thought ? And that too, without enforcing a 
retrograde step, back to conditions "Out 
grown," back to this small, inferior planet, 
as the theory of reincarnation would imply. 

All law and order are scientifically spirit- 
ual, and GOD is no "Re-Creator/' While 
the exact course of Divine evolution, mater- 
ially viewed, is of small importance, we may 
be reasonably sure that it is as it ever must 
be, progressive. You cannot get away from 
the realm of the actual; you must fill your 
niche in eternity, otherwise, the very princi- 
ple of the universe would be incomplete and 
truth would lose its Omnipotence. "Ye 
cannot measure the height, depth or breadth 
of love, for God is love/' and the unpardon- 

49 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

able sin is ignorance, directed against His 
unfolding law of perfect government. 

It is not necessary to believe that man 
has had to come up through all the stages 
of mineral, vegetable and animal Hfe in or- 
der to believe in spiritual evolution. 

If there is a hereafter there must have 
been a heretofore of which you do not un- 
derstand and cannot recollect, but of which 
you may note the constant progress as ex- 
pressed in all creation. If the faith of eter- 
nal life seems far-reaching, is it less strange 
that we should exist at all ? 

The present plane is only a small part of 
the eternal whole of nature's universe ; this is 
why the law of perfect government is not 
fully manifested in the present school of ex- 
perience. If perfection were established 
here, there would be no necessity for further 
effort, and evolution would cease ; but it docs 
not end here. Then let us make good use 
of what we have, in order that we may gain 

50 



Nothing Lost in Spiritual Evolution. 

more. By shirking his duty man can only 
retard his progress for a time and lose many 
bright opportunities for advancing in the 
direction of his heaven. 

The completion of wisdom is not to be 
fully attained here, and this is why there 
seems to be a power aside from truth, of 
limitation and retrogression. While all space 
is filled with life and vacuum is unknown, 
yet this is not the end, the whole or the "full- 
ness thereof." Life is inexhaustible and 
must be expressed throughout eternity. 

Many intellectual scholars insist that if 
evolution is correct, then involution is also 
possible, but they can only argue thus from 
a very material standpoint, in the sense, per- 
haps, that it is a poor rule that will not work 
both ways; but remember they are referring 
to a man-made rule and spiritual evolution 
is the Divine rule, that never had a be- 
ginning and will never have an ending. We 
may as well argue that if there is harmony 

5i 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

there is discord also when we can all realize 
that discord is simply the ignorant manifes- 
tation of or the absence of harmony. 

There can be nothing lost and there is no 
death, in fact, even now, according to the 
spiritual interpretation of the Scriptures, 
the sting of death is all the death there 
really is, and it is certain there is no ob- 
livion for man's individuality. He does 
live on. From this standpoint, however, the 
wrong-doer can gain little satisfaction, since 
there is no punishment half so severe as the 
self -accusation of a guilty conscience. He 
who sins usually suffers more than his vic- 
tim, because he fills his world with false 
ideas and then punishes himself accordingly, 
by prolonging this state of malicious igno- 
rance. 

Divine wisdom, which created all things, 

and whose vastness is expressed in variety, 

must not be trifled with by trusting in human 

beliefs. Our principal mission here is to save 

52 



Nothing Lost in Spiritual Evolution, 

self from ignorance, by working to a higher 
spiritual understanding of life divine, 
It is a careless waste of time, valuable mo- 
ments thrown away giving heed to what- 
ever system of doctrine you may, after you 
recognize that it is not practical in judg- 
ment or sound in reason, and to ascertain 
this fact is not only your privilege, but is 
your sacred duty. 

Our special purpose here in the present 
grade of experience is to unfold our latent 
capabilities for correctly understanding the 
truth of being, the infinite order of man and 
things, and so constantly emerge out of the 
darkness of human misconceptions and 
nearer to the great life-giving heart of love, 
but only in proportion as we realize the ne- 
cessity for this spiritual thought-taking will 
we speedily advance into life supernal, 
either here or hereafter. And it is certain 
that we never will attain the highest realiza- 
tion of which we are capable — even in this 

53 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

world — while believing it necessary for our 
advancement to waste time in blind formal- 
ism. No matter how trifling forms 
appear, they detract the thought, to 
a greater or less degree, from rea- 
soning out this all-important life prob- 
lem for ourselves and thus constantly hin- 
der our spiritual growth. So let us be care- 
ful how we retard oin* progress : "As the 
tree falls so it shall lie," saith the Scripture, 
and so shall it be with us until suffering 
forces us on and upward. 

Limitation and imitation only, require an 
object from which to create another. Ail 
beauty, art and poetry were never born, but 
have and will exist forever, because there is 
no death for love; spirit, truth and intelli- 
gence or their representatives; they move 
on and on through endless eternity with 
everlasting life — their source of supply. All 
may change, but there can be nothing lost 
in Spiritual Evolution. 

54 



Nothing Lost in Spiritual Evolution. 

We will err and suffer on the next plane 
of consciousness as on this until willing to 
yield up incorrect ideas concerning being 
and accept the light of advanced understand- 
ing, 

"The people who sat in darkness saw a 
great light !" 

Silently I wandered in, 

A maze of doubt, despair, 

Weary of mirth and vanity frail, 

I knelt at the altar of prayer; 

What art doing here, Oh, child of earth! 

Arise! haste! cast thy fear, 

Lest discontent and changing mood 

Doth cause thyself a care. 

But, no, I struggled onward, 
Heeded not the gentle call, 
When presently clouds of darkness 
Settled o'er sky, and land and all. 
Then my sense, my soul, grew saddened, 
Natural things had passed from view; 
I was drifting, slowly drifting, 
Into the light of truth I knew. 

On this bright shore I labor, 

Contented now to wait, 

I have learned there is no death process 

That could land at Paradise gate. 

We must work on and up the mountain, 

The way true wisdom rate 

If in life we would be happy 

And avoid dark ignorance, fate. 

55 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

On high are many mansions, 
They are grades of school, I know. 
If we shirk the allotted lesson, 
We'll pay interest on that we owe. 
Then be earnest, there's bright sunshine 
Scattered o'er Life's golden stream, 
If there's sorrow, it is error; 
Drawn from a mortal's theme. 



56 



£>?x Affinity 



CHAPTER IV. 
Love Is the fulfilling of the law. — Jesu9. 

Love is the germ of man's true existence 
through its sacred influence, nature, GOD'S 
male and female instruments, whereby the 
forces of His perfect government have de- 
fined all creation, that meet and mingle 
in their proper sphere, from the smallest 
atom to the largest planet ; and when not in- 
terfered with by thrusting in man-made 
laws, they cannot fail to reach their true 
affinity in due season. Like magnets they 
are attracted to, and require each other's 
support. 

It was affinity that launched the earth in 
its orbit. 

Like motives and similar tastes are requi- 

57 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

site for the success and happiness of the 
marriage state. And I cannot agree with 
the advocates of extreme dissimilarity be- 
ing advantageous to the sexes. It is cer- 
tainly a mistake, since opposites in any- 
thing seldom harmonize, and should be care- 
fully avoided. True sex affinity must ever 
recognize its own. The intuitions of the sin- 
cere heart usually form opinions instan- 
taneously, and these impressions are seldom 
wrong. Of course, there may occasionally 
seem an exception to the general rule, and 
love at first sight may sound imprudent, yet 
they who are its fortunate possessors are 
always the most congenial, and therefore, 
the most successfully mated. 

It seems as if they have simply re- 
newed the tie of a former existence, and 
we need never be anxious for an ideal mar- 
riage, even though the vow be taken under 
the most humble circumstances; but this 
does not necessitate hasty marriage — 

58 



Sex Affinity. 

for love, if it be pure, will survive spotlessly 
the. most dismal adversities, notwithstanding 
many declare that "Few have married for 
love without repenting it." I cannot coincide 
with them; I do not think such per- 
sons competent judges; they must have mis- 
taken the real sentiment of true love. 

Pure affection is of the soul ; it is not mere 
respect, social endurance, or the "demon cf 
lust." Love lasts throughout all eternity 
and will conform to any circumstance in life, 
no matter how difficult that may be. It will 
"scale the mountain-peak, defy the prison- 
cell, and distance holds no obstacles." How- 
ever, be not over hasty to take upon your- 
self the responsibilities of wedlock — a step 
that means so much to the success and life 
of others as well as to your own future con- 
tentment, prosperity and happiness. 

Mistake not passion for affinity, let pure 
motive, honest desire, and reason guide you ; 
then there will be little cause for serious 



59 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

regret when looking back over your past 
life. In short, understand thyself and true 
affinity will lead the way. It is said that 
love and reason divide the life interests ot 
man. Then let love, if it be love, be not 
over exacting, and above all else, not unrea- 
sonable. The awakening of distrust and 
jealousy most assuredly doom the affections, 
like in comparison with the letter to true 
Christianity, it "killeth," while the real spirit 
of love gives life and gladness always. Pure 
affinity adds hope to aspiration; it governs 
the lower nature and will secure honesty and 
loyalty in the home. 

Perhaps the most common matrimonial 
error, and the one most to be regretted, is 
the mistake of selecting a life-partner for 
the sole purpose of advancing financial inter- 
ests along with social position, and then ex- 
pect to prosper after having presumed to 
upset the whole domain in the regulations 
of human nature. Again, the unwise notion 

60 



Sex Affinity. 

of seeking to secure the hand of one whom 
you have every reason to believe does not 
share your sentiments, but whose affections 
you hope to win after marriage, often proves 
a risky undertaking, for nine times out of 
ten it is a sad failure for both par- 
ties. As Lancelot said to the unfortu- 
nate maid of Astolat, "I love not to be con- 
strained to love, for love must arise of the 
heart and not by constraint." It is difficult 
to say which of the contracting parties in 
such cases have been made to suffer the 
most, but wretched they usually are beyond 
all doubt; though it may not be publicly 
known it is often privately lamented. There- 
fore, like in all things else, there should be 
equality in the affections, if you would avoid 
unhappy solicitations for each other in the 
years to come. Under these circumstances 
it would have been much better to have 
loved and lost. Far better is the spare in- 
tellectual repast with quiet and virtue than 
jarring and confusion over worldly gain. 
61 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

The approach of misplaced confidence is 
not the work of "The one altogether lovely." 
Cold indifference and selfishness withers 
hope and will scatter affinity to the wind, for 
love is sensitive and easily pained when be- 
stowed with no response. Carelessness for 
each other's comfort and happiness is, 

"The little rift within the lute, 
That by and by will make the music mute, 
And ever widening slowly silence all." 

But when equal affinity exists both can 
forgive and forget all grievances with- 
in the bounds of reason, no matter 
what the trouble may chance to have 
been. "Beholding only the beautiful, 
the good and the true in character." The 
nature of love is protection to save, never 
to injure the object of affection, even though 
no appreciation is shown in return. Every 
effort at kindness, even good intentions, are 
often misconstrued and are painful to those 
who do not share in the sentiments of sex 
affinity. 

62 



Sex Affinity. 

So must it ever be in matters of inharmo- 
nious domestic relations and absolute advice 
will prove a decided mistake. Under such 
circumstances even the religious counsellor 
cannot conscientiously dictate terms. In 
deed, this is the time when perfect neutral- 
ity betokens the greatest blessing to both 
parties, from friend to church. 

"A soft answer turneth away wrath," 
sayeth the Scripture, "But grievous words 
stir up anger." It is the little, the numerous 
unconscious acts of kindness that prove the 
depth of sincere affection. Divine love which 
should be our only example forgets not to 
bestow fragrance upon the smallest violet 
that peeps its tiny head above the common 
earth. 

You cannot undo a mistake or a wrong. 
by angry argument or cruel comment; you 
must possess enough sincerity to overlook 
the supposed grievance, if you would retain 
harmony in the household. 

63 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

Speak gently, 'tis but a little thing to do, 
Speak softly, 'twill bring blessings "unsought to 

you, 

and remember, stolid indifference for each 
other's opinion is the most fatal condition in 
the marriage state to overcome, and should 
never be allowed to reach that point. They 
who are offended are yet concerned and may 
reconsider, while the absolutely indifferent 
person has ceased to contemplate the wrong 
or the pleasure. 

Unadulterated affinity is the music of 
married life, and sends forth none of the 
discords of inharmony; without it there can 
be little assurance of stability in the matri- 
monial alliance, and a separation is sure to 
be the result. Only 'What God hath joined 
together can no man put asunder.' 

Love and finance rule the world and the 
storehouse of nature hath endless resources, 
nevertheless domestic economy is necessary 
to insure matrimonial prosperity and should 
ever be reasonably observed by each. Undue 

6 4 



Sex Affinity. 

extravagance should never be participated 
in by husband or wife; they ought to share 
alike the joint earnings of their united co- 
partnership contract, wherein their interests 
must ever be identical, but this fact is too 
often overlooked and negligence and jeal- 
ousy are apparent in every direction, while 
they search in vain for the reason that is 
causing so much domestic trouble, misery 
and discontent. 

Willful destructiveness is an indication of 
degeneracy as surely as jealousy is an ad- 
mission of inferiority. 

Much has been said and written regard- 
ing the regulations of the divorce law. Un- 
der prevailing legislation the divorce law is 
a blessing to the civilized nations of the 
world. What good to either individual or 
society could possibly be gained by compell- 
ing the continuation of a union that is no 
more congenial than would be the result ob- 
tained by throwing together alkali and 

65 






Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

acids? In the latter case we would expect 
nothing short of one constant fermentation 
and for two such opposite natures to dwell 
contentedly is out of the question. Yet they 
may not be any more to blame for the up- 
heaval than are the unthinkable chemicals. 

It is much to be regretted when a thought- 
ful, perhaps gifted nature, is compelled to 
appeal to acquaintances and those outside 
the home circle for the sympathy and en- 
couragement they deserve. Parents, wives, 
and husbands, this is the open door to much 
waywardness, discouragement and separa- 
tion, then take heed lest you estrange the no- 
ble genius you may be entertaining una- 
wares. 

While legislation has yielded many im- 
portant questions to the rights of woman 
during the latter half of the Nineteenth cen- 
tury, and the wives of to-day have enumer- 
able advantages over those of the past gen- 
eration, still there remain vast opportunities 
66 



Sex Affinity. 

for improvement along this line. Nothing 
takes the self-respect so completely out of 
the mind of an intelligent person as absolute 
financial dependency, and I am 'fully con- 
vinced after long observation that two-thirds 
of the discord now existing among married 
people would be removed if a fair amount of 
the monthly income were placed unreserved- 
ly at the disposal of the wife, not as a beg- 
gar's mite, but as an equal allowance in just 
return for honest service. The conscientious 
woman grows weary under financial oppres- 
sion and eventually rebels the same as man. 
especially when penurious circumstances 
forces upon her the deceit she must so often 
resort to in order to obtain that which is 
justly her right to possess. Furthermore, she 
is often tried beyond all endurance when 
obliged to stand by and witness shameful ex- 
travagance in ways she absolutely does not 
approve. As Susan B. Anthony so practically 
advises, "If I were a husband I never would 



6 7 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

admit that my marriage was a failure until 
I had tried the profit-sharing plan with my 
wife." Nature intended that man should pro- 
vide, and it is woman's disposition to de- 
spise a stingy, unprincipled man; so woman, 
physically only, is not man's equal, and she 
catches it on every side and will, as long as 
humanity believes that "might makes right." 
Not unlike the slave wives of India, she 
must continue to flatter her lord and mas- 
ter. No wonder she so often resorts to the 
feminine faculty of intuition, for the cun- 
ning deception which is her only weapon for 
combating animal strength. 

True beyond all doubt, this is largely the 
male plane, even nature has liberated and 
more compassionately favored the man in 
numerous respects, but this is the more 
reason why he should be kind and generous 
to woman. 

Generation is also requisite to increase 
conjugal felicity. Legitimate offsprings are 

68 



Sex Affinity. 

indeed the indissolubly welded links in the 
golden ties of human affections. Children do 
much toward increasing the bliss of mar- 
ried life. Without them a home is incom- 
plete; but while parents should be gentle^ 
kind and patient, they should be firm, and 
above all else truthful with the little ones. 
The old way was never to "Spare the rod/* 
while at present it would seem that parents 
have gone to the other extreme, and the 
child is now often spoiled and the wrong 
side of his nature left to rule over him at 
will. 

Physical punishment is usually unneces- 
sary if you have done your duty and 
taught the child his rightful lessons — obed- 
ience, truthfulness, honesty and respect, his 
just inheritance from your estate. Also 
in rearing a family, care should be taken 
that every consideration worthy of mention, 
be not lavished upon the offspring, to the 
sacrifice of all comfort and compassion for 

6 9 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

the mate, for almost unconsciously we are 
apt to become selfish and neglectful of our 
companion and allow ourselves to drift in 
fancy, that we are living our lives over again 
in our children. Then some day we will 
awaken to the cold fact that our idols have 
taken on new bands of more congenial 
ties, and then it is that we begin to realize 
for the first time, that we have unwittingly 
sacrificed the devotion of the one we should 
have cherished and protected; but when this 
time arrives it is often too late to rectify 
one of the most common mistakes of this 
period. Oh, ye idolizing parents, remember 
this, that youth cannot sympathize with age ! 
Let moderation in all circumstances, gov- 
ern the matrimonial obligations in wed- 
lock. To indulge in vulgar excess 
is to tamper with the seeds of death, 
while on the other hand, total ab- 
stinence causes the blossom to wither and 
mortals to reek with suppressed desire. The 



70 



Sex Affinity. 

human affections must have an ideal for 
hope to rest upon, although with some indi- 
viduals anticipation is often sweeter than 
actual attainment; nevertheless, communion 
with the higher order of creation strength- 
ens the character of the sexes and enriches 
the nature. These statements might appear 
contradictory were it not that even nature 
seems fickle sometimes as she coquets with 
the destroying elements; but the sunshine 
contradicts the storm, and sorrow and heart- 
ache, mellow and mould us into a higher or- 
der of being. True companionship should 
be our highest motive for sex union; there- 
fore always endeavor to select your life-part- 
ner from among those of your own intellec- 
tual station, never from beneath, recollecting 
that this is the quality that especially 
wears well; this is the faculty most worthy 
of perpetuation. Far more blessed is the 
unlawful love-child than is the would-be 
legitimate; where submission to hatred and 
compulsion is the source of propagation. 
7i 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

If we would advance mortal existence and 
uplift the human race we must not lead an 
inconsistent life. Indeed, we cannot do so 
and then hope to improve our progeny. Our 
motives and aims must be kept spiritually 
pure if we would assist to obliterate crime 
and give elevated ideals to exalted aspira- 
tions; and no better or surer way can be 
thought out whereby to attain this higher 
estate than to practice domestic and social 
equality, along with political and moral free- 
dom in the home as well as abroad; thus we 
may assist to liberate mankind, that they 
may follow unrestricted the dictations of 
their higher conscience. Marriage will then 
be of the heart and not from forced circum- 
stances, virtue and love will be the "Minis- 
tering angels" at every bridal altar; then 
evil motives will hold no sway, and divorces 
will be unknown and man-made laws will 
not attempt to unfashion the works of "Di- 
vine wisdom." 



72 



Sex Affinity. 

Equal sex affinity is the guiding spark in 
the life of every married couple, imparting 
health and strength for each emergency as 
they journey along this pathway together, 
love leads onward and upward into 
endless bliss where harmony dwells com- 
plete. 

L' amour est la chaine d'or qui nous lie 
aT Infini. 

"Who travels alone with eye on the heights, 
Tho' he laughs in the daytime, oft weeps through 

the nights; 
For courage goes down with the set of the sun, 
When the toil of the journey is all borne by one. 
He speeds but to grief, tho' full gaily he ride, 
Who travels alone without love at his side. 

Who travels alone without lover or friend, 
But hurries from nothing to naught at the end; 
Tho' great be his winnings, and high be his goal, 
He is bankrupt in wisdom, and beggared in soul. 
Life's one gift of value to him is denied. 
Who travels alone without love at his side." 



73 



Qtyrifittan Mtnt&l paling 



CHAPTER V. 

"Go ye unto all the world and preach the Gos- 
pel and heal the sick." 

The method of treatment known as Chris- 
tian Mental Healing is to-day the most pow- 
erful remedial agent in existence, and there 
is no doubt but what it is the key to that 
principle which the Master Physician em- 
ployed in his marvelous cures among sick 
and sinful humanity. It is one of those 
grand gifts of the Great Creator, and when 
understood you will find it to be both nat- 
ural and practical, and all who will may 
learn to accommodate themselves with this 
ever present healing power — children as 
well as adults — and the former are often 

74 



Christian Mental Healing As It Is. 

much quicker to grasp the new old idea than 
the latter, "I thank thee, Oh, Father, Lord 
of Heaven and Earth, because thou hast 
hid these things from the wise and prudent 
and hath revealed them unto babes, for so 
it seemed good in thy sight." — Jesus. 

To fully understand the principle of 
"Christian Mental Healing," certainly re- 
quires the perfect reliance, the confidence of 
the child thought, although any one who 
will strive to live in touch with nature's law, 
and does not attempt to break the Divine 
commandments, with his own wrong no- 
tions, cannot fail to keep well himself and 
heal those who are ailing. Perhaps, you will 
say; this I have invariably tried to do and 
still I am a constant sufferer. Then allow me 
to insist, that you are worrying too 
much over your physical condition and 
should "Take less thought for the body." 
You, perhaps are arguing, just the oppo- 
site to what you should in order to keep 

75 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

well. You are constantly making wrong sug 
gestions and holding them in consciousness, 
while you put them into practice. 

Do not affirm what you do not wish to 
bring to pass. 

Endeavor to keep in mind that only joy 
and health are man's legitimate state, since 
it is evident that suffering is a part of the 
"Wages of sin," a statement in accord with 
just law, as there is no lodging-place for 
error in truth. 

We should endeavor to keep in mind pure 
ideas regarding health laws, and in propor- 
tion as we succeed in this line, will we grad- 
ually become attuned and the trouble 
will disappear, leaving us much better for 
this mental experiment. If you have had 
unfortunate experiences or failure in busi- 
ness, dismiss these unpleasant thoughts 
from your mind, resolve that you will 
not be haunted by dark forebodings 

76 



Christian Mental Healing As It Is. 

of whatever is disagreeable or irritates you, 
— forget it; thrust them out of your mem- 
ory. 

If you wish to give a treatment, retire in- 
to the quietness of your own sanctuary, where 
you can gain an audience with your calm in- 
nermost thoughts; then try to realize that 
man's true state is health, harmony, and that 
life and love are the powers of truth that 
govern. There can be no sickness; "In 
fact," no failure, — otherwise they could 
not be destroyed — and remember, that all 
discord is the result of ignorance and fear. 
A calm recognition of these eternal facts will 
regulate all the functions of the body far 
more effectually than drugs. To disarm fear 
entirely is to have dominion over every mor- 
tal condition, be that physical or mental. 

Nevertheless, if you have already drifted 
to where you fancy that you are unable tc 
help yourself, then call in an honest practi- 
tioner, one in whom you have confidence, and 
allow him or her, as the case may be, to 

77 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

realize this perfect state of health for you 
— a conclusion you have not been able to 
reach for yourself — while you in return 
render all the aid possible in the way of 
entertaining just as much composure as you 
can command during your course of treat- 
ment; in other words, learn how to concen- 
trate the thought in harmony. The success 
lies in your knowing, as you should know, 
that the nature of Divine love is not willing 
that any one should suffer and that there is 
no disease in this perfect law of govern- 
ment. When this fact becomes clear to 
you, then you will begin to perceive the true 
principle of the healing power, the Di- 
vine process that will make you whole. 

The antidote for decreptitude and ugli- 
ness, like the receipt for health and happi- 
ness, lies in keeping in mind the good, the 
beautiful, and the true. Do not abuse the 
lenses of the soul, the mirrors of character. 
If the eyes are beautiful, the carriage grace-* 

78 



Christian Mental Healing As It Is. 

ful, and the intellect bright, appreciation 
will often overlook the plainness of features 
and figure. 

Do not allow yourself to grow old. Pure 
oxygen, sunshine and smiles, defy the fur- 
rows of time. If you are becoming de- 
crepit and morose you should make a criti- 
cal examination of self each day and 
religiously endeavor to correct these dis- 
agreeable complaints, and if you are persis- 
tent, you will overcome. I know a beautiful 
character who discovered at the age of fifty 
five years that she was beginning to stoop 
and totter as she walked. She determined 
to correct this unsightly appearance of old 
age, and with her new found aid, "Chris- 
tian Advanced Thought," she was enabled 
to step forth in a very short time with all the 
elasticity and grace of a Gibson girl. She 
has proved to her satisfaction that it is un- 
wise as well as unnecessary to acquiesce to 
the first signs of approaching disease. 

79 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

Long years of ripe experience should fash- 
ion us more gracefully, just as time has ar- 
tistically carved the towering cliff and 
strengthened the majestic oak. To the 
most beautiful natures age has given an add :> 
ed charm. The beautiful are the hierogly- 
phics of Divinity. 

Then I said: "I covet truth; 

Beauty is unripe childhood's cheat; 
I leave it behind with the games of youth;" 

As I spoke, beneath my feet 
The ground-pine curled its pretty wreath, 

Running over the club-moss burrs; 
I inhaled the violet's breath; 

Around me stood the oaks and firs; 
Pine-cones and acorns lay on the ground; 

Over me soared the eternal sky, 
Full of light and of Deity; 

Again I saw, again I heard, 
The rolling river, the morning bird; — 

Beauty through my senses stole; 
I yielded myself to the perfect whole. 

— Emerson. 

If you find that you have a trait of char- 
acter or acquired a habit that is disagree- 
able and repulsive to those about you, en- 
deavor to eradicate it from your life and 
you will be much happier by so doing. Begin 
80 



Christian Mental Healing As It Is. 

this self -re formation by being less severe in 
your criticisms of others, calm the troubled 
waves of "Sense testimony" and conform 
yourself to circumstances, while endeavoring 
to recognize and obtain the good in every- 
thing; then gradually you will become more 
charitable and less selfish, and you will begin 
to realize that the trouble lies principally 
with self and that it is you who will be oblig- 
ed to rectify these mistakes before you can 
hope for permanent relief. Try to detect your 
own faults rather than those of your neigh- 
bor. 

For the best results you should never urge 
a person to accept mental treatment against 
his will, no matter how near and dear such 
person may be to you. This precious jewel 
should ever be regarded as too valuable to 
be thrown promiscuously about. "Cast not 
your pearls before swine," said Jesus, "Lest 
they turn and rend you." Besides, over- 
persuasion often proves a "Stumbling-block" 
and the means of them missing their only 
opportunity for a proof of this beautiful 
81 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

truth on the present plane of existence. Fur- 
thermore, a desire for the treatments are 
very helpful, faith being a large factor in the 
case; that is, the faith that comes of under- 
standing and not blind faith merely, where- 
in there is a grand difference. Indeed, this 
is one of the secrets for ninety per cent of 
the incurables, responding so readily to 
Christian Mental treatment. They have 
usually exhausted every other known rem- 
edy, and at last when they do turn, it is 
with open arms to any means that offers a 
ray of hope, thus making the way possible 
for truth to enter into their hearts; then, 
they find that after all else has failed, Di- 
vine love "Is a very present help in time 
of trouble." To a great extent faith is 
requisite in all manner of treating disease, 
even that which is wholly material, since it 
is inconsistent to suppose that a rational per- 
son will trust to some method wherein he 
has not the slightest faith or confidence, 



82 



Christian Mental Healing As It Is. 

which amounts to the same thing*. The fact 
that you will permit of the treatment, is 
faith sufficient to heal you; but as a rule we 
should not expect very satisfactory results 
if we resort to over-persuasion or compul- 
sion. We have no authority like a charla- 
tan, to trample upon the honest right to 
man's idea of self-preservation. While 
this course does not always meet with ap- 
proval, experience is often found to be the 
wiser teacher. 

Bear in mind that the process for giving 
Mental treatment is about the same, no mat- 
ter by what name it is called. The healing 
work is accomplished either through silent 
or audible declarations, which answer the 
same purpose, since they bring about identi- 
cal results. The metaphysician's effort must 
ever be to arouse his patient to a higher 
channel of thought. The Mental treatment, 
whether imparted silently or audibly, present 
or absent, when given under possible cir- 

83 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

cumstances, will usually prove satisfactory 
in every case; however the composed or 
passive state of mind, without argument or 
suggestion is the best, since both are 
merely employed to assist in impress- 
ing a clear realization of health on 
the minds of yourself and patient. Health 
is always present waiting to be recognized; 
in fact all healing is effected by the same 
mental process, declaring for the supremacy 
of truth and harmony over discord. For 
best results, Christian morality should al- 
ways be observed by both healer and patient. 
Christianity furnishes a firm support for 
the weak and afflicted to lean upon in 
time of suffering. No special formula should 
be employed as it has a tendency, no matter 
how angelic the compilation, to become a re- 
ligious incantation that is liable to be me- 
chanically repeated and fanatically adored, 
rather than the impartation and clear reali- 
zation of the healing principle. All Mental 



8 4 






Christian Mental Healing As It Is, 

methods are effected by a similar pro- 
cess; the principle difference, when there is 
any, lies usually in the fact that all, except 
the Christian Mental practitioners, do not 
fully recognize the governing influence, pow- 
er or force, as Divine, and are therefore not 
giving credit where credit is due; but are 
constantly striking the rock in their own 
name. This means of procedure must of 
course prevent them from entering into the 
promised land of actual understanding. 
These mistaken practitioners imagine that 
they are in possession of a secret power, one 
they may summon with their own human 
will, and by this means they usually surround 
their patients with mysticism, and keep z 
person in ignorance of what is justly his 
right to know, namely: that the under- 
standing of GOD as spirit, life and love, is 
the knowledge of the health-giving princi- 
ple, that makes whole. 



85 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

These are the natures, just mentioned, 
that send forth naught save health, the 
only state that is natural to man; therefore, 
every honest practitioner will endeavor to 
impress upon the mind of his patient and 
student, the spiritual understanding of the 
"Sacred word." 

"The words thai I speak unto you, they 
are truth and they are Life," said the great- 
est Metaphysician the world has ever known. 

The honest practitioner has no need, nor 
does he attempt to put his patients into a 
deep sleep, or wish to unnecessarily 
control the mind of his patient in order to 
impress upon them suggestions of health, as 
some misinformed persons believe. In- 
stead, he will endeavor to give them an 
idea of how to control their own body 
through "Divine mind." Also recollect, 
that a true Mental Christian practitioner 
cannot both heal and make sick, or produce 
and prevent, as many suppose, and should 

86 



Christian Mental Healing As It Is. 

any one attempt this mistaken course his 
healing ability will diminish and eventually 
be lost through wrong desire, ignorance or 
false motives. As well might you say that 
"A fountain could send forth both sweet 
and bitter waters." So will a constant wrang-, 
ling over the right and the wrong way, 
the me and the my, the you and the 
I, cause our healing ability to become cloud- 
ed and take chances of again forcing the 
sign of true Christianity into the untrodden 
paths of disuse; — since true Christianity and 
the healing principle are inseparable and 
must ever go hand in hand. One does not 
really exist without the other, but some of 
these blind physicians who are not wholly 
dishonest, will acknowledge to you that they 
do not fully understand what this influence 
is, which they are presuming to handle ; but 
of one thing you may be reasonably sure, 
they are certainly "Blind leaders," of the 
blind, and like materia medica, they cure 



87 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

temporarily, but never heal; therefore, "By 
their fruits ye shall know them." 

Those who make light of "Christian Men- 
tal Healing," who ignore or neglect an ail- 
ment and then say that they have tested 
Christian healing and have found it lacking 
in its efficacy, are like the child who would 
scribble all over a blackboard and then say 
that the principle of mathematics is incor- 
rect, because he has been making figures ail 
day long and has not obtained the solution 
to his problem. Like in mathematics, there 
is a certain knowledge to be gained and ap- 
plied before you can accomplish the per- 
manent healing work of truth. 

This century has been properly designat- 
ed as the "Age of Medicine Worship/ and 
yet it is generally admitted that the so called 
science has no fixed principle upon which to 
found this broad assertion, since the drug 
that cures one often injures, or else will not 
affect another person suffering from identi- 

88 



Christian Mental Healing As It Is. 

cal causes and with the very same symptoms. 
The old-school physician would say 
this mistaken result often occurs from 
the difference in the condition of the sys- 
tem, but why not the difficulty arise from 
the difference in temperament or the mental 
state of the patient? 

Know ye not, Oh, Mortals! if the sway 
of this old Medicine Monarch is not checked, 
he is destined to become a greater task-mas- 
ter than they who kept the children of 
Israel in bondage to materiality six thou- 
sand years ago ? The trouble with nine-tenths 
of suffering humanity to-day is the habit of 
drugging. Then is it not a much better, as 
well as very much safer means of pro- 
cedure, to know that real life causation h 
harmonious and eternal, and sends forth only 
perfect conditions of health? If we some- 
times seem discordant, it is because through 
our lack of understanding we have touched 
the wrong chord. Our members are parts 

8 9 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

of the sensitive instilment, which we may 
employ with advantage but cannot abuse, if 
we would hope to have them remain attuned* 
Perhaps, the condition most to be de- 
plored, is the one wherein the chronic inva- 
lid believes himself sinking away in accord 
with the will of Divine justice. Surely he 
of all mortals is to be pitied. "God 13 
Love," and love is not willing that one of 
her children should grow weak and perish. 
Indeed, man was told to have dominion over 
all things and conditions and shall he not 
then be able to control his own body ? 

Truthfully speaking, material remedies 
have neither power to harm or to help, but 
their constant use has a tendency to destroy 
your trust in the Christian method and dull 
your mental ability to heal. Then why not 
give up this old threadbare idea, and inves- 
tigate the true Spiritual healing that Jesus 
taught, which is governed by the law of 
perfect principle and can again be satisfac- 

90 



Christian Mental Healing As It Js. 

torily demonstrated; if we are disciples of 
Christ's teachings and professed followers 
in His footsteps we ought to be able to per- 
form, at least a part, of the mighty works 
He so easily accomplished. 

Jesus bade His disciples to heal first, last, 
and in all ways; it was the "Sum total" of 
His every command. He said, 'These signs 
shall follow them that believe; they shall 
lay hands on the sick and they ^shall re- 
cover." Then let us give the sign as did he, 
and prove true the word He labored so ear- 
nestly to establish, as well as our own stand- 
ing in Christianity. What proof have 
v/e, that the healing work was ever accom- 
plished unless it can be repeated. James 
said, ''Show me thy faith without thy 
works, and I will show thee my faith by my 
works;" and again, "Faith without works 
is dead." Christ Jesus was our great Ex- 
ampler ; He preached to the poor and healed 
the sick, and He bade His followers go unto 

91 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

all the world and do likewise, in whatever 
city or house they were hospitably received. 
Our special object, like His, should 
be to teach mortals how to live right, in or- 
der to keep well, then they will have no need 
for a physician. The true "Christ Mental 
Method" heals every phase of disease and 
weakness known to mankind. Courage is 
the result of "Christian Mental Healing," 
and every person should understand it for 
the strength of character it imparts. It is 
the power that overcomes every obstacle in 
life, — whether financial, domestic, physical 
or mental. 

If you- admit, with the average Christian, 
that Jesus wasthe great Expounder and Dem- 
onstrater of all truth and healing, and that 
we should follow His example and keep His 
commandments in order to be saved, then 
why omit His last and greatest command ? 
"Heal the sick!" "If you love Me," He 
said, "Keep my commandments." If His 

92 



Christian Mental Healing As It Is. 



& 



works were miraculous, then His teachings 
were unnatural, hence untrue; but we find 
as in many other instances that both the 
works and the teachings of Christianity are 
miraculous only to the unadvanced thinker. 

You cannot be permanently healed 
through the efforts of some one else. You 
may be cured for a time; but in order to 
reach the full import that absolute freedom 
implies, you must eventually become your 
own physician. Neither can you heal success- 
fully if in doubt of the principle. You must 
understand for yourself. Even the "Master 
Physicians," did not claim to heal for all 
time to come unless the disciple would follow 
in the footsteps of truth. "I am the way, the 
truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the 
Father, but by Me." To the impotent man 
he said, "Go thy way and sin no more, lest 
a worse thing come upon you." "Ye shall 
know the truth, and the truth shall make 
you free." 

93 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

History tells us that the Christian Heal- 
ing work was accomplished by Christ's fol- 
lowers for several centuries after the cruci- 
fixion. Now, if we are to accept this state- 
ment as true, we will naturally ask, what 
caused the discontinuation of this part of 
the Christian work? Has the "Arm of the 
Lord been shortened?'' And GOD, who is 
we are told, "The same yesterday, to-day 
and forever," has He ceased to longer care 
for His children ? Or is it not more reasona- 
able to conclude that this lack of power, 
overshadowed Christian faculty or partly 
lost element of the healing commandment, 
was due to the outgrowth and adop- 
tion of material remedies, the sub- 
stitution of sects with symbol worship and 
useless ceremonies, which gradually took 
the place of the Divine healing work and will 
repeat the ancient mistake if this same, 
though higher, perhaps, subtle enemy to 
spiritual progress is not recognized and care- 



94 



Christian Mental Healing As It Is. 

fully guarded against ? Yet while intel- 
ligence exists, the principle of "Divine heal- 
ing" could no more be permanently lost than 
could the principles underlying music, math- 
ematics, art or natural science. 

That the "Christian Mental Method" does 
heal is fast becoming a recognized fact in 
the land, and this is why its adherents are 
being so persecuted by the popular medical 
schools. If we did not heal they would let 
us alone, knowing that we would soon cease 
to practice; but we do heal, and that, too, 
when everything else has failed; and of this 
fact, dear sufferer, you may be convinced, 
if you will only come and investigate our 
method; do not despair, cheer up! though 
every material means has failed to give you 
relief, there is still hope and health in store 
for you. 

When the power of Christ Mental Heal- 
ing is universally understood, this knowl- 
edge will bring about the condition illus- 

95 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

irated in Olive Newsom's beautiful essay on 
the Chemistry of Life : "Misery and dark- 
ness will pass away and poisonous remedies 
shall no longer be given to the sick. The 
laughing babe will be a joy to its parents 
from this time on; when ailing it shall be 
fed with the principle of Life, and not with 
the seeds of death, for health will be its 
guardian angel. The wife, also, shall walk 
along the pathway of life and she shall be 
beautiful, happy, contented, for no disease 
will lurk within the temple — the body — and 
her husband shall walk by her side in man- 
hood's vigor, with step firm, nerve steady, 
eyes clear, and mind self-poised. No alco- 
hol will then fire the blood or sear and burn 
the delicate tissues of the body. No quinine, 
calomel, belladonna, opium, aconite, chloral 
or other nauseous poisons shall debilitate 
the system, destroy the wonderful mechan- 
ism of the auditorial nerve or mar the beau- 
tiful windows of the soul — the eyes. Then 



9 6 



Christian Mental Healing As It Is. 

quarrels, bickering and senseless strife will 
cease, and in their place calm reason shall 
sit enthroned with perfect health." So it 
is, a true Spiritual understanding of the 
Sacred Word that gives youth, instead of 
infirmity, it brings joy instead of misery, 
imparting health, not sickness. 

The great importance of Spiritual under- 
standing, as taught in "Christian Ad- 
vanced Thought" is, it refines the na- 
ture, lends strength and self-reliance 
to character. It will calm fear and 
destroy excessive habits; it "Heals every dis- 
ease that flesh is heir to;" it brings the sun- 
shine of gladness into the darkened home. 
It will improve the memory, the mental abil- 
ity, and insure success in every line of occu- 
pation. Business people cannot afford to be 
without this knowledge, which alone will 
establish the true brotherhood of man. 
It is an education in itself, and will 
place any one who possesses even a partial 

97 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

understanding, head and shoulders above 
the ordinary walks of life; then you will 
realize that knowledge is health indeed. 



"PULSE OF THE ADVANCED 
THOUGHT." 

To the Author: 

I wish to acknowledge my sincere grati- 
tude for the marvelous healing I have ob- 
tained, and also the glorious light I have 
received through your instructions. I trust 
that my experience may be the means of 
assisting to lift some poor sufferer out of 
misery into health and rejoicing. 

For over sixteen years I was a constant 
sufferer from sciatic rheumatism and chronic 
dyspepsia. The last six years of my illness 
I was taken from one specialist to another 
throughout the United States, but apparently 
grew worse the while. I had spent a 
small fortune in my search for health, and 

9 8 



Christian Mental Healing As It Is. 

after all else had failed was ordered by my 
physician to the State of California. Not 
with the assurance that I could be healed, 
but with the belief that my life might be 
prolonged by the change of climate on the 
Pacific Coast. In this, like all previous 
efforts, I was doomed to disappointment. 
Instead of improving, I grew rapidly worse, 
and at last was advised to make prepara- 
tions for the end, as my days were now 
numbered. I had well nigh lost all power 
of digestion and was being kept alive on 
small quantities of imported graham crack- 
ers soaked in scalded milk. A small quan- 
tity of this was administered to me every 
three hours. While this diet was sufficient to 
sustain the system, it is regarded as very con- 
stipating, and as I had passed the stage of 
taking medicine, my physician did not dare 
to administer cathartics, even a drink of 
cold water would throw me into violent 
retching, at which time I suffered intense 



L.ofC. " 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

pain. In appearance, I very much resembled 
a person who was sinking to the last stage 
of chronic consumption. This was my con- 
dition, when, as a very last resort, I turned 
to the Christian Mental Healers, who thor- 
oughly restored my health in the marvel- 
ously short period of eighteen days, and 
from which time I rapidly increased in flesh 
and strength. Nor, have I had one symptom 
of a return of the disease, and it has now 
been several years since my recovery. Thus, 
through "Christian Mental Healing," I feel 
that I am enabled to give praise for my re- 
markable recovery, and sincerely recommend 
it to all who are suffering with any form of 
physical or mental affliction. 

O. O. NEWCOM, 
Oakland, California. 



ioo 



A lark pt?M0m?tra, 



CHAPTER VI. 

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the 
spirits whether they are of God: because many 
false prophets are gone out into the world. — I. 
John, 4:1. 

When we awaken to the truth of exist- 
ence, when superstition has given place to 
understanding, then we will no longer grope 
about in darkness lending ear to such ig- 
norance as surrounds the falsity of Modern 
Spiritualism. 

Take away the tricks of the magician, si- 
lence the voice of the mind-reader, and re- 
move the judge of character, at the 
same time not permitting the influence of 
human will power to have exercise over you. 
Now request the wily medium to produce her 
demonstrations in the broad, open light of 
the day, and you will then be convinced of 

IOI 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

just how little truth there really is in the 
doctrine of "Modern Spiritualism," and you 
will never again allow yourself to be made 
the dupe of this bald imposition, notwith- 
standing many bright intellectualists declare 
to the contrary ; and one in particular writes 
in the following strain: 

"In these days when science is giving 
spirit phenomena its serious attention, it sav- 
ors of ignorance and obstinacy for an indi- 
vidual to declare all such manifestations are 
the result of trickery and fraud. 

"To my belief, after much investigation, 
I am satisfied that communication with dis- 
embodied spirits is possible, and is an estab- 
lished fact, as established as wireless teleg- 
raphy, but much less satisfactory, and rarely 
resulting in positive good to the recipient. 
But of scores of experiments, two only re- 
main with me as convincing evidences (to 
me) of actual spiritual telephonic connection 
between the hidden world and this. Scores 

1 02 



A Dark Phenomena. 

of other puzzling and curious occurrences 
have been open to the explanation of mind- 
reading or suggestion, but these two experi- 
ences remain with me, convincing and com- 
forting; for what can be more comforting 
to the human mind than the belief that dear 
ones who have passed into the silence may 
at times come near with words of counsel 
or warning?" 

Then she adds : 

"Nevertheless, I am confident it is not in 
harmony with God's plan to call back these 
emancipated spirits; it delays their progress 
and interferes with our own character-build- 
ing. While we dwell in the body we are 
intended to live upon the earth; when we 
pass out of the body we are intended for 
other realms and other occupations." 

Again she self-contradictingly adds : 

"So the human being who constantly ap- 
peals to some departed intelligence for coun- 
sel and guidance is wronging that spirit and 
103 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

chafing his own nature if he receives a re- 
sponse. I have seen character weakened and 
individuality and self-reliance destroyed by 
continual searching after spirit communica- 
tion. It is an unwise and unsafe use uf 
time." 

To the latter statement I fully agree with 
her; but in regard to her belief, like all others 
who believe in "Modern Spiritualism," I 
fail to perceive where she has given the 
slightest proof of this "Dark phenomena" 
save her own willingness to believe what she 
desires to be true. At the same time I do not 
doubt the sincerity of many earnest spiritu- 
alists, those believers who are not in the 
circle of actual practice; those who are 
obliged to devote their time to other voca- 
tions and only their spare moments to the 
"Dark seances." Such as they, believe what 
they hear and are confident that their senses 
have not deceived them, while they are de- 
pendent on the wisdom of the cunning man- 
ipulator for the interpretation of spirit com- 
104 



A Dark Phenomena. 

munication. These persons are often 
not content with the blind faith oi 
rigid dogma and are reaching out for some- 
thing more satisfying, and if they would only 
withdraw long enough to give spiritualism 
an unprejudiced investigation, they would 
simply reach the conclusion as did the au- 
thor, i. e. y that there is practically nothing 
upon which to found this wonderful doc- 
trine, save the works of delusion and their 
own superstitious imagination. But why 
turn to such darkness in your longing for 
light, since you virtually say, that you have 
had quite enough to do with blind guides? 
Ah, no doubt, they have succeeded in giving 
you some splendid tests; they have told you 
many wonderful things, that you say they 
otherwise could not have possibly known. 
Moreover, they have produced many strange 
manifestations right in your presence, and 
your eyes could not have been deceived. Re- 
member, dear friend, while you are peace- 



105 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

fully slumbering or your mind is busily occu- 
pied with other cares of life, the ingenious 
mediators between the departed and the pres- 
ent are industriously practicing their craft to 
the unwary in all directions. Nor is it neces- 
sary that there always be a medium present 
in order that we feel strange influences and 
even see strange sights, which are to many 
unexperienced persons convincing, self-evi- 
dent facts; and yet the truth remains that 
these uncommon appearances are only the 
mirages of our own falsely instructed ideas 
respecting the fraudulent methods of bring- 
ing about these weird apparitions. It 
is possible that the vivid intuitions of a sensi- 
tive inspirational nature, might be able at 
times to draw upon the mind forces to such 
an extent as to produce, in imagination, the 
touch of the "Vanished hand," hear the fa- 
miliar voice, to even describe the ob- 
ject or form held persistently in thought, 
but oftener these visions are the re- 



106 



A Dark Phenomena, 

suit of fraud, and aggravated symptoms of 
nervous indigestion, caused by prolonged 
anxiety, longing for the impossible. Hence 
I would advise such persons to go to the 
"Christian Mental Healers" and be treated 
for this ailment. 

Remember, the human senses can be de- 
ceived; Art, Astronomy, and Natural 
Science reverse the evidence of the senses, 
especially the sense of seeing. While 
the following little confidence game will 
show how thoughtless is the average per- 
son^ What unsuspecting citizen who has 
been taken in by the meek-looking individ- 
ual, who comes to the door and addresses 
you in the following words (could be con- 
vinced that he had turned the trick against 
himself) : "If it be ze love affair, cut ze 
cards wiz ze left hand; if ze business trouble, 
cut zem wiz ze right hand. I can tell you 
many tings good for you to know/' Now, 
after you have cut the cards, and have an- 

107 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

swered unthinkingly a few leading ques- 
tions, then if the fortune-teller is half sharp, 
she will be able to tell you the rest. You are 
surprised with what she has told you so cor- 
rectly. How could she possibly have known 
so much? She must have been supernat- 
urally endowed. You pay her of course and 
are not to say displeased, and ever after be- 
lieve there is some truth in fortune-telling,, 
unaware that you had given her the key to 
your innermost secret. Just so thousands of 
honest people are caught in like manner 
every year with similar deceptive schemes. 

Indeed, there is not an ism known to man- 
kind but what is less harmful to society than 
is the doctrine of Modern Spiritualism. In 
it there are too many opportunities for 
fraudulent measures; and in the hour of be 
reavement so many weak individuals resort 
thereto with the hope of being comforted; 
but instead are often carried away, becom- 
ing willing dupes to its many forms of err- 

108 



A Dark Phenomena. 

ing mysticism, or else are left wandering 
about lost in doubt and fear as to what really 
constitutes the truth of Being. You never 
jee depicted on the countenances of those 
who are laboring in the way of love's ap- 
pointing, the marks of terror or intense fear. 
"Perfect love," says John, "casteth out fear," 
and this true scriptural fact alone, should be 
to us sufficient proof of whether or not we 
are affiliating with the thought that recog- 
nizes the sign of Immanuel : "By their works 
ye shall know them." 

I feel that I am safe in stating, without 
the slightest fear of successful contradiction, 
that any well informed hypnotist, whether he 
knows aught of the spiritualists' method of 
manipulation, can produce all, and more of 
the weird manifestations than they claim to 
perform, and that too, without the aid of 
the so called departed spirit, especially if he 
is a good judge of character and fairly pro- 
ficient in the art of mind-reading, a faculty 

109 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

by the way, which is possessed to a greater 
or less degree by every individual of ordin- 
ary intelligence and may be improved at 
will. To some persons, however, more than 
others, it comes natural, like the gift of 
music and mathematics; therefore, it is not 
supernatural, or a manifestation derived 
from the controlling influence of a departed 
spirit, as many suppose. 

Here permit me to relate an incident that 
transpired some years ago during the inves- 
tigating period of the author, and may 
throw some light upon the subject now un- 
der consideration: 

One evening in a certain eastern city, 
where I was residing at the time, it was 
announced that a very noted medium would 
deliver a lecture on the ' 'Truths of Spirit- 
ualism," and immediately after the said lec- 
ture she would enter into the trance state 
and give free tests to all present. It 
is needless to add, that your humble ser- 
no 



A Dark Phenomena. 

vant occupied a seat in the front row. Ow- 
ing to the large audience present the tests 
would necessarily have to be briefly given, 
however, I was among the first to receive 
a message from the land of myth. And 
right here, I must confess, that it came nearer 
being a real test than any I had ever before 
received, notwithstanding I had already 
paid out many a dollar along this line, but 
not one that I have ever regretted, for with- 
out knowing the truth or the falsity of a 
theory you cannot honestly approve or con- 
demn it; and there is no other possible 
means known — so satisfying as a personal 
investigation. Returning to our subject, 
I will say, that when my turn came 
the medium announced, pointing her index 
finger straight toward me, that a departed 
spirit stood by my side and wished an inter- 
view with me, — through the medium of 
course- Well, as time was limited I was 
obliged tc think fast, and what to say I 



ill 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

scarcely knew ; but at length I began by ask- 
ing the following questions : "Can you tell 
me what was the cause of your death?" 
"Yes," came the answer in quick response; 
and the medium, suiting the occasion to a 
fineness, threw herself into an attitude that 
would have rivaled the feats of a gymnast. 
These actions, she explained, was to indi- 
cate that the deceased came to his death from 
the effects of a severe accident of some kind, 
but strange to say, I could not then remem- 
ber of ever having been personally acquaint- 
ed with any one who had died of accident. 
Yet I was not at this time fully con- 
vinced of the falsity of Spiritualism and did 
not intend to lose this rare opportunity for 
promoting my convictions; therefore, I was 
equal to the occasion, and much quicker than 
it takes to write it, my thoughts rushed back 
over my past life and presently lit upon the 
memory of a sad incident that once occurred 
in the village where I spent most of my 



112 



A Dark Phenomena. 

childhood days. It was a circumstance that 
had, I remembered, impressed me quite 
deeply at the time — an accident, that hap- 
pened to an old man who obtained his liveli- 
hood by hauling wood to the town folks. 
One day while driving down a steep incline, 
in the suburbs of the village, the brake on his 
wagon, upon which he was leaning heavily, 
gave way, and the sudden jerk caused him to 
fall forward from the load of wood to the 
ground, when two of the wagon wheels 
passed over his body, causing severe internal 
injuries, from which he expired in a few 
hours. But so many years had elapsed since 
this incident that I had forgotten, or per- 
haps never did know the unfortunate man's 
name, and had at this particular moment 
associated it with that of another person 
whom I afterwards ascertained was still 
alive and well ; but over-anxious as I was for 
a communication from the other world, I did 
not at the time perceive my mistake, and in 



113 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

the next breath hurriedly asked if the spirit 
would kindly tell me his name and describe 
his personal appearance, while here on earth. 
All of these questions, mind you, the won- 
derful medium standing before us had prom- 
ised to answer, and she kept her word. Only 
the description and name she gave was that 
of the living man, whose name I had in my 
hurry and momentary excitement uncon- 
sciously associated with that of the departed. 

Now, I ask, did this spirit wish to play 
a joke on me and so give me a wrong name 
and description of himself, or did the me- 
dium, in her anxiety to get through with 
me and pass along to the next person, read 
the narrative just as I had it mistakenly 
mixed up in memory? I am confident of 
the latter, assured as I had become with 
similar results in a score of just such ex- 
periences with many of their leading lights 
during my investigation, and which I could 
relate, only I believe the above will suffice. 

114 



A Dark Phenomena. 

Note the so called messages interpreted 
for our benefit, purporting to have come 
from the spirit land; even those from the 
departed statesmen would evince anything 
but an advanced state of existence. These 
communications received by the medium, 
would as a rule do discredit to a child of 
two years, for at this age the child can 
usually tell its own name. 

More than two-thirds of the tests given at 
the public seances will apply to every indi- 
vidual in the audience, and I declare with 
an honest conviction, after years of investi- 
gation, that there is nothing more impossi- 
ble than spirit communications. Nevertheless, 
I have occasionally met mediums whom I 
believe to be quite sincere; they were per- 
sons who had started out with strong faith 
and had listened for strange noises and dis- 
tant voices, and argued for their pet cause 
so long that they had brought themselves to 
rely upon a belief in the impossible. Though 

"5 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

how a fairly intellectual person can long en- 
tertain this inconsistent fallacy is to me 
a much greater mystery. For Spiritualism 
to be correct would necessitate, upsetting the 
Divine plan in all the working of eternal 
progress. 

Even were we to grant for the sake of 
argument that there is a spark of truth, — 
but there is not, — upon which to found this 
visionary theory, there could be little, at 
the very most, to establish save an added 
belief of a life hereafter, an existence be- 
yond the grave, a proposition that is doubt- 
ed by but few persons in the present age. 

It seems to me that it would be quite as 
rational to believe that we could communis 
cate with and retain the recollections of those 
on the former plane of existence before mor- 
tal birth, as to believe that we can converse 
and associate with those who have gone on 
before, to the future plane of existence. Both 
beliefs are certainly indications of hallucina- 

116 



A Dark Phenomena. 

tions. We do not remember the past, the 
period before birth, and we will not recol- 
lect in the future, prior to the period called 
death ; we will not recognize John and Mary 
and know them as we knew them here — in 
this thought they have now outgrown. To 
be able to do so would be inconsistent with 
the Divine plan, and to wish to is merely 
the result of human selfishness, and "cuts no 
figure" in truth. We shall be classified 
however, as we belong: We will not be 
strangers to the kindred thought; we will 
not sink below our level; and as now, so in 
the future, we will ever be provided for 
in "Divine principle." Even here we meet 
those to whom we are enemies at first sight, 
who repel us, while to others we are drawn, 
it seems as it were that we have met 
old friends and had known these latter indi- 
viduals always, but we do not remember 
them personally, and will not recollect them 
over there. 



117 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

Behold! silvery locks turn to gold, and 
4ear old wrinkled brows radiant with youth ; 
would you be able to recognize the face thus 
changed of your most beloved one? On the 
other hand, to grow old and more decrepit 
on that beautiful shore would be contrary 
"to every known theory entertained by mor- 
tals ; while to remain forever a babe or aged 
and ugly, would be to say the least, any- 
thing but a joy forever. So it is not, can- 
not be true; there is no spirit land, no literal 
hell, no heaven. "Behold! the Kingdom 
of God is within you." Within x an intelli- 
gent consciousness, not in a material location 
can perfect harmony be found; then let us 
endeavor to keep pace with the highest at- 
tainments possible that we may improve our 
standing, not only in the present condition, 
but in the future as well. This is our moral 
duty, this is our principal work, here and 
now, but to suppose that the departed car? 
return to associate with or exist for an in* 



118 



A Dark Phenomena. 

stant in their former condition, is to pre- 
sume that we possess the power to reverse 
the order of wisdom. This alone should 
prove the inconsistency of such a course. An 
effort if attempted must insure failure at the 
outset. The next stage of consciousness may 
be similar to the present, but it must be dif- 
ferent to the one outgrown. What 
we shall be like does not yet appear, but we 
know that we shall be classified as we be- 
long. 

Another erroneous theory for worldly 
wisdom to stumble over is the belief in re- 
incarnation. 

To return here under the ordinary 
conditions and be subject to old tempta- 
tions; would be nothing gained by 
man, and little advantage aside from prac- 
tice for his Creator; whose work was fin- 
ished long ago, and pronounced good. This, 
a retrograde step, would keep man ever look- 
ing backward and forever hinder his spirit- 
ual advancement in life. Like modern spir- 
119 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

Stualism, this impossible theory would com- 
pel Divine wisdom to be constantly doing the 
work over and over, thus forever hindering 
the eternal facts of perfect evolution. 
Think for a moment of a person coming back 
to this plane of existence to prepare for cer- 
tain vocations left unlearned, in a world 
wherein a score of years are sufficient to 
change the conditions so materially that 
scarcely a trace of the former beliefs and 
practices can be found which were regarded 
as of vital importance to man's well-being 
the generation before. Indeed, it is true that 
a few short years here or elsewhere is not 
sufficient for a full understanding of the 
eternal facts of existence (to me), an added 
proof that we do not return here to com- 
plete the Divine knowledge. "In my Fath- 
er's House are many mansions," said Jesus. 
In every age and to every race has arisen 
inspired prophets who have voiced, to some 
^extent, the sentiments of true Christianity, 



120 



A Dark Phenomena. 

science and the brotherhood of man ; but in- 
variably have they stumbled over their su- 
perstitious beliefs in the necessity for symbol 
worship and their crude misconceptions of 
Deity. This is one grand reason why we 
find under the teachings of absolute Chris- 
tianity a higher, a more universal culture 
and civilization. It is because of our less 
personified humanized conceptions of GOD. 
Thus, in every age we joyfully behold the 
lessening of dead rites, superstition, and use- 
less ceremony, and in their place conies 
unity, reason, truth and purity. 

We sometimes hear an enthusiast rave 
over the superior spiritual attainments of the 
East India Buddhist priests, but it would 
seem that if their virtue and understanding 
were so far in advance of the Christian 
world that the masses of their people would 
cease, at least to some extent, after all these 
years of unsurpassed wisdom claimed for 
their masters, to rot with filth and disease; 

121 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

and that they would put away some of their 
abominable religious customs of persecution 
and extreme cruelty. Like all other isms 
their theory is more beautiful to talk from 
than to live, and so with the rest of human- 
ity they are obliged to come to advanced 
Christianity for high-caste universal civiliza- 
tion, reason and revelation, and it is unrea- 
sonable for us to close our eyes to these in- 
disputable facts. 

There is no mysterious power, bogy man, 
spectre or devil, save that which we conjure 
up from the depths of our own superstitious 
imagination. If this is not the case, then 
there must exist a power equal with and 
aside from GOD, who is "All powerful." It 
is absurd, in this enlightened age, to accept 
such ignorant mysticism as truth, though it 
may seem to appear clothed with angelic ves- 
ture. 

A more recent explanation of the phe- 
nomena surrounding Spiritualism, is that 

122 



A Datk Phenomena. 

which is claimed by mental telepathy. From 
the image of thought, imprinted on the in- 
ner or subconscious as well as the conscious 
mind, it is held by non-spiritualists to be 
such that the mental impressionists can often 
perceive these mental pictures, even though 
the circumstance may have long since been 
forgotten by the person who has retained 
them. Think of this as you may, it does not 
alter the fact that the knowledge obtained 
therefrom is the result of mind-reading, just 
the same, and not from the control of de- 
parted spirits. Here you may readily see 
that it is not absolutely necessary for a 
thought to be uppermost in the mind in or- 
der that the practitioner read it correctly; 
since the obliteration of anything, mental 
or material, is an impossibility. It is possible, 
yes probable, that thoughts audibly spoken 
or even silently spoken are retained and 
may be sent out where they move on and 
-on through vibration, until they reach a re- 



123 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

ceptive chord in a responsive nature where 
the thought is taken up and repeated. In 
the same way facts concerning events of note 
may sometimes be obtained, even though 
they have not yet actually transpired. The 
idea is first born in thought before it takes 
on form and action. Many of these im- 
pressions come to us through the power" of 
intuition, an inspirational faculty we all 
possess to a certain degree. Much can be 
accounted for along this line through the 
vivid impressions left here on earth with us 
by those who have passed on before; last- 
ing impressions similar to those of an un- 
usual incident in the memory of childhood 
days. The power of intuition and concen- 
tration are so marked in some individual* 
that you could almost believe that they were 
supernaturally endowed, when it is a gift, 
the same as an unusual talent in any special 
line of genius. 



124 



A Dark Phenomena. 

Many persons, the detective and the pro- 
fessional gambler, and those in various other 
vocations as well as the clairvoyant, the 
"Commercial Medium" and mesmerist 
could give valuable testimony on this sub- 
ject. 

You would not question one who was gift- 
ed with a superior knowledge of the principle 
governing music, mathematics, art, et cetera, 
and believe them to be supernaturally con- 
trolled. Then why should you insist that 
other uncommon circumstances must be the 
result of this dark phenomena? 



125 



$fer00ttai JHagnrttem, MtBttmi&m. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Mesmerism is another source from whence 
arise many forms of error and supersti- 
tion. The notion that there exists a mag- 
netic fluid or force possessed by some indn 
viduals, that may be employed at will and as 
an influence for good or evil, is certainly 
erroneous. 

As a fact, it has never been established 
that such a force exists, save the forces of 
our own false imagination. Mortal man is 
naturally fond of anything that savors of 
mystery. It is true some individuals seem 
to possess more naturally attractive quali- 
ties than others ; this is called personal mag- 
netism, and when they are attracted to those 
of like temperament they are often able to 
127 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

exercise considerable influence over each 
other, especially if one happens to be a good 
judge of character and knows where and 
when to take advantage of the weak points 
in human nature; then he may make it ap- 
pear to the uninstructed to have acquired a 
wonderful power derived from some unex- 
plainable source. (Besides, the whole world 
loves to be flattered. ) Then if you believe in 
and fear this power, not knowing from 
whence it came, you make yourself an easy 
subject. 

Animal magnetism, hypnotism and mes- 
merism, wherein there is practically no dif- 
ference, save that one person employs man- 
ipulation for cencentrating the thought, 
while another may resort to mental sugges- 
tion, hand passes and even metallic instru- 
ments of various designs for this same pur- 
pose, yet the result obtained by each, no mat- 
ter how mysterious it may appear to the ob- 
server, can all be accounted for through 

128 



Personal Magnetism, Mesmerism. 

the exercise of "Mind over matter." They 
merely demonstrate the excessive control 
that the human mind holds over the body, 
hence the necessity for thought being prop- 
erly instructed. 

If you understood your way in truth, such 
attempted influence could have no power 
over you. Even an honest mesmerist will 
tell you that he cannot possibly influence you 
contrary to your will. You must become 
passive or he cannot have the slightest con- 
trol over you. Then if you know what he is 
about, and make the proper resistence you 
stand "Master of the situation;'' therefore, 
if you are influenced it is plain to be seen 
that you are obliged to yield yourself to his 
will, and the fact that you were influenced 
when not aware does not change the situa- 
tion ; you simply became an innocent, though 
willing subject. You must invariably lend 
yourself either willingly or ignorantly to his 
will ; then, after all, it is a question whether 

129 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

or no you do not bring about the desired 
effect yourself. "Know ye not, that to whom 
ye yield yourselves, servants to obey, his ser- 
vants ye are to whom ye obey?" 

St. Bernard has wisely stated that "Noth- 
ing can work me damage except myself; 
the harm that I sustain I carry about with 
me and never am a real sufferer but by my 
own fault." 

I once knew an aged professor who took 
annual tours throughout the country, giving 
entertainments and lecturing on the princi- 
ples of hypnotism, mesmerism, et cetera; he 
also gave class instructions whenever the op- 
portunity afforded, and on one of these oc- 
casions he was just about to proceed with 
the first lesson of a small class when some 
person knocked on the outer door. Of 
course he was obliged to answer the call, 
which proved of a business nature, and there- 
fore detained him some moments longer than 
he had anticipated. When he left the students 
130 



Personal Magnetism, Mesmerism. 

they were all comfortably seated with their 
backs toward the door; he was not 
aware of what had taken place during his 
absence and was amazed on his return to 
find each person in a deep, hypnotic sleep, 
from which he was obliged to awaken them, 
for as he afterwards stated, he had no de- 
sire or intention to put them to sleep at this 
time, since he had only just begun his ex- 
planation on the subject when he was called 
to the door. After this experience he in- 
variably declared that in all his years of 
practice he had never hypnotized a single 
person; instead, they had brought about the 
desired effect themselves. Let this be 
as it may, in such instances there lies use- 
ful object lessons; it proves that we govern 
our own bodies, and with proper understand- 
ing we may govern them aright. 

Yes, I think I hear you say, that is ail 
very well, yet there is certainly mystery ex- 
isting somewhere. What about animals? 

131 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

Even the old house-cat and the common wa- 
ter-snake, both have been known to charm 
a bird until it would hop into the creat- 
ure's mouth. Granted; but did not the ani- 
mal first have to secure the undivided atten- 
tion of the bird before he could obtain in- 
fluence over it ? Then who can say that the 
bird, while making little or no resistance, 
did not become a willing victim, not realiz- 
ing of course that its life was to pay the 
penalty of ignorance? Just so, it is said with 
regard to music, there is charm, and musical 
instruments are often used in capturing the 
boa-constrictor and other wild animals. The 
plaintive strains of the weird tones have 
touched a responsive chord in their sympa- 
thetic natures, causing them to forget all 
else and so follow blindly wherever it leads., 
True to nature, fowls, reptiles and animals 
of every kind, not unlike the human being 
in this respect, are extremely sensitive and 
often very curious. Now you would not 



132 



Personal Magnetism, Mesmerism. 

acknowledge there is error in the sweet 
tones of music; then, as with the animal, 
the fault must lie in the mistake of forget- 
ting self and being lead by the enemy behind 
the instrument. 

In fact, there is no power in either man- 
ipulator or instrument; there is nothing su- 
pernatural in any of these peculiar phenom- 
ena; all can be rationally accounted for; 
there is no power in them, save the power we 
ourselves in our ignorance of what the in- 
fluence is, concede, and that is usually 
through the loss of self-possession; there- 
fore, we should learn to judge between the 
false and the true, then no delusion can have 
control over us to affect us in the least. 

The only power that really exists is a 
"Divinely natural" one and in it there is 
no mysticism. When we begin to under- 
stand this great fact the terror and spectral 
will soon disappear, leaving us very much 
wiser for our investigation. If in doubt or 

133 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

fear concerning a thing- do not run 
from it, come back, pick it up, handle it, 
as did Moses in the wilderness, handle the 
serpent. You, also, will find that it will be- 
come a staff to lean upon instead of some- 
thing to fear. 

To superstitiously dwell upon the prob- 
abilities of the delusive forces of animal 
magnetism, is to set up a fear in conscious- 
ness more difficult to eradicate than is sin or 
disease. To fear animal magnetism is to 
establish an aggressive form of hallucina- 
tion. And personal magnetism is a mild 
type of animal magnetism, a mixture of 
character-reading, flattery, passion, intui- 
tion, and will-power; but neither one of 
these faculties should be ignored or feared; 
each should be understood and controlled 
with right thought and reason. 



134 



Personal Magnetism, Mesmerism. 

R. ANNA GERMAN, C. M. D. : 

Dear Friend of Humanity : — 

I wish to acknowledge the great benefits 
received, both mentally and physically, from 
the inspiring words of yonr lecture and ex- 
planations on the unreal forces of mysti- 
cism. You have made so clear the noth- 
ingness of the many forms of delusion to 
which I was a confirmed victim that I am 
sure were you never to accomplish anything 
further you would certainly have done a 
good work, and I wish you every success in 
your reformatory mission among mortals* 
You can never fully know the mental suf- 
fering I was undergoing when I was led 
to you for help. 

For over two years it had seemed to me 
as though some unexplainable power had 
taken possession of my entire being, and no 
natter what I was doing, or where I went, 
it was impossible for me to get away from 
this awful depressing influence. Words 

135 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

are inadequate to express this terrible 
sensation; but of this I am confident, that 
had I not obtained help just as I did I would 
not be here to make this grateful acknowl- 
edgment for truth. 

I was losing my appetite and my whole 
body was becoming emaciated; I could no 
longer work at my trade and was afraid to 
walk a block from my residence, lest I should 
drop dead in my tracks. I was bewildered 
and fast losing my senses; but thanks to 
this light of advanced understanding it has 
rent the veil of darkness. My suffering is 
only a dream of the past and I am now 
healthy, happy and free through the influ- 
ence of "Christian Mental Healing." 

CHARLES LAMB, 

Ogden, Utah. 



136 



JKrform, Jfat Jnrmalfem. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

For the words that I speak unto you they are 
truth, and they are life. — Jesus. 

To that grand untiring army of men and 
women reformers, both ancient and modern, 
who have unhesitatingly labored along the 
line of human advancement, to them I shall 
ever extend my heartfelt gratitude. For the 
many grand lessons they have taught, and 
the good they have accomplished, I wish to 
give credit, confident as I am that theirs was 
an unselfish desire to uplift mankind; and in 
most instances I believe they have nobly ful- 
filled their several missions, as far as lay in 
their power, moved as the> were by right 
motives and holy aspirations. Yet, I can-t 
not fully coincide with all their views, con- 
vinced as I feel of the privilege and duty of 

137 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

each individual in obedience to reason's de- 
mand, as well as in common justice to him- 
self, to do his own work according to his 
highest sense; and this can only be accom-* 
plished by following in the light of truth, 
as far as we comprehend it, "Trying all 
things and holding fast to that which is 
good." While being ever ready with an hon- 
est answer for the hope that is within us. No 
human being can do our spiritual work for 
us, and to follow the fixed rules of any par- 
ticular individual or sect retards self-gov- 
ernment, hinders individuality and upsets 
free progress. "Work out your own salva- 
tion," this is the wisest course to pur- 
sue; but do not become indifferent because 
you have no personality to lean upon. You 
have taken the reins of government in hand 
and cannot turn back ; therefore, you should 
strive to govern your destiny with truth, and 
if in earnest you will succeed, for we are 
told, "It is God who worketh in vou both 



138 



Reform, Not Formalism. 

to will and to do of His good pleasure." 
We should not hesitate to direct the way 
as far as we understand it, to the weary pil- 
grim or the "Stranger that is within our 
gates," remembering, as the Master said, 
that, "The harvest is plenteous, but the la- 
borers are few ;" yet we have no moral right 
to demand obedience to human codes. It 
stands with common-sense reason that the 
full solution of this "Stupendous life prob- 
lem" never has been and never can be mon- 
opolized, solved completely on this "Plane 
of thought" or hedged about with forms 
and human by-laws, without hindering 
man's spiritual growth. 

The compilation of any person, sect or 
organization is not adequate to explain the 
Infinity of Divine Wisdom. 

"Seek not to pour the world into thy little mould, 

Each as its nature is, its being must unfold; 

Thou art but as a string in life's vast sounding- 
board, 

And other strings a3 sweet may not with thine 
accord." 

139 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

The approach of truth is the dawn of the 
New Light, an illumining presence that 
comes to one and all, like a million golden 
rays from a brilliant midday sun, brighten- 
ing up the reason, giving animation, hope 
and intelligence to each of GOD'S children, 
in proportion as they are found willing and 
receptive. 

All right thoughts derive their source 
from the power of Divine inspiration, no 
matter from whence they are gained, or by 
whom they are voiced; but forms of every 
description hinder advancement, and creeds 
and rituals keep you in bondage. We have 
no proof that Jesus ever acknowledged or 
established any special form of doctrine. His 
highest creed was strict adherence to Divine 
law; He turned neither to the right nor 
to the left, but worked straight ahead, mak- 
ing no concessions to His opponents, though 
granting equal rights alike to all mankind. 
When told that others were healing in His 

140 



Reform, Not Formalism. 

name and had been forbidden, He said: 
"Forbid them not, for he that is for us is 
not against us." He recognized that Di- 
vinely natural law required no protection 
from man-made laws in order to demon- 
strate its principle. Jesus ever labored in 
the way of truth's appointing; He said: 
"My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." 
In the synagogue, on the sea-shore, in the 
wilderness, on the mountain-top, and along 
the lowly by-ways, on the corners of the 
street, or wherever He could secure the at- 
tention of the greatest number, and do the 
most good, there Hje was to be found teach- 
ing, explaining the word of truth for the 
benefit of suffering humanity. Jesus taught 
by comparison, and proved His theory cor- 
rect by demonstration, and He said to His 
followers, "Go ye and do likewise, for these 
signs shall follow them that believe." 



Even the rigid by-laws of many of the dif- 
are : 

141 



ferent organizations are a hindrance to man's 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

best interests, since they have a tendency to 
narrow him in bondage, rather than 
to liberate and uplift, as they pretend is their 
chief aim. Forms of all descriptions are 
makeshifts to entertain mortals and detract 
their attention from thinking and reasoning 
out this all-important problem for them- 
selves : like churchanity, secret societies, poli- 
tics and patent medicines, each one is repre- 
sented to its followers as a panacea for all 
ills, instead of a decoy as they often are, to 
further the interests of some special form of 
humanly doctrine. Away with the old 
threadbare adage that there must be a head, 
a ruler, in order to obtain order, which is 
necessary only in matters of monarchial gov- 
ernment, where submission to tyranny, in- 
stead of obedience to our better nature and 
higher convictions are required. Against 
truth, virtue and righteousness, there is no 
law; therefore, instead of building magnifi- 
cent temples to uphold and perpetuate ig- 



142 



Reform, Not Formalism. 

norance, we should establish and maintain 
in the honor of liberty, more free training- 
schools for the purpose of better social and 
moral education, then we will have fewer 
institutions for punishing vice and crime— i 
to support. It is universal reform, not form- 
alism, that we need. 

2. Remember, your mission is half ac- 
complished if you can set man to reasoning 
out these all-important questions for him- 
self. 

A better state of government must invar- 
iably keep pace with moral advanced thought, 
if truth and justice are leading. We 
cannot have a corrupt religion and a pure 
government, or vice versa; but it is not 
necessary to spend valuable time in running 
after forms and ceremonies in order to 
be a good citizen or a Christ Christian. 
Forms always have been and still are the 
clog in the great revolving wheel of human 
success and spiritual progress; then shall we 
forever "Bow down our head as a bulrush, 
143 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

and wear sackcloth and ashes?" It requires 
no such inconsistency to live uprightly and 
to comprehend the workings of Divinely 
natural law; indeed, obedience to false doc- 
trine has darkened the ages, and is the cause 
of history constantly being repeated in crime 
and bloodshed. I say this not only from a 
religious but from a political standpoint as 
well, for while adhering to forms and 
useless ceremonies a man not only wastes 
valuable time, but it hinders him from tak- 
ing the necessary step for himself. He is 
too liable to be consoled with the erron- 
eous idea that he has done his duty in com- 
plying with certain dead rites, when in 
fact, GOD recognizes no form as able to 
save, and every one must understand this 
great life-giving principle for himself. 

Who doth the lily ask, whether or not it 
shall be beautiful, where it shall gather its 
substance or scatter its fragrance? "And 
are ye not of more value than many lilies ?*' 

144 



Reform, Not Formalism. 

Think you that Christian would have 
reached the Celestial City if he had been 
riding a hobby-horse? What has ritualistic 
forms done for progress? But look what 
progress will do for ritualism! No matter 
how much we teach or write on this sub- 
ject, there is no sin save that which is 
caused from ignorance and mistaken ideas, 
brought about by complying with some un- 
necessary form,, which cause us to neglect 
our duty. 

The practical lesson in materiality should 
be regarded much the same as the sign-post, 
used as a way-mark, to point out the true 
course through life ; but we must not gather 
about it, and bow down and worship the 
material sign-board. However, it is incon- 
sistent deception to say that we do not be- 
lieve in sectarianism, and that we have no 
creed, when constantly endeavoring to build 
a hedge about eternal truth with some poor- 



145 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 
ly devised man-made system of by-laws. 

You cannot take the principle of life, 
truth and love, tie them up in various 
sized parcels, and label them anything, with- 
out retarding spiritual growth and man's 
GOD-given right to reason and self-govern- 
ment. 

In the great religious missions of many 
of the large cities, where thousands of dol- 
lars are gathered annually in pennies and 
dimes from the appeasing wealthy classes 
for the purpose of teaching the Gospel to the 
poor, it is told on reliable authority that 
hundreds of individuals, both men and wo- 
men, go night after night from one of these 
institutions to the other making a business 
of being saved, and thereby eking out a piti- 
able livelihood, while the attendants of these 
"Soul saving" institutions are reaping a 
financial harvest on the percentage of each 
soul saved. 



146 



Reform, Not Formalism. 

At the same time the above circumstances 
are not different to the prevailing customs 
and practices of the more aristocratic gath- 
erings in "Lofty edifices," where ihe well- 
dressed business man attends for the sole 
purpose of securing trade, and the poln 
tician with the hope of gaining votes 
for the coming election. Behold ! This abuse 
of the generous multiplication of the loaves 
and fishes, yet no individual is wholly to 
blame for this state of affairs, under pres- 
ent legislation; it is impossible to do other- 
wise and exist, 

Under the prevailing legislation of the 
civilized nations of the world it is an utter 
impossibility to lead a genuine Christian life, 
and if the Great-Hearted Multiplier of ma- 
terial commodities were here on earth to- 
day, He would, beyond all doubt approve a 
change in present conditions, although these 
changes might even reverse some of His own 
commands. With the premium removed 

147 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

from dishonest legislation there would be lit- 
tle inclination left to defraud, steal, commit 
crime or otherwise fall into temptation. 
Then the work of saving souls from sin 
would be unnecessary — a useless effort of 
the selfish past. 

To be sure there is usually a spark of 
truth in every theory, and while the testi- 
mony and experience of an individual may 
be suggestive of better ideas, they by no 
means prove the absolute certainty of a doc- 
trine ; and all the beauty sang of a Sweden- 
borgian theory will not make the human Di- 
vine or an "Anthropomorphic God" worthy 
of adoration. Even religious sentiment 
must be kept consistent with fixed facts and 
reason, if you would not lose your true spir- 
itual bearing. Thus when a theory savors 
of unexplainable mystery, then draw T closely 
the line of demarcation between the possible 
and the impossible, and if it will not stand 
the light of reason withdraw and be- 

148 






Reform, Not Formalism. 

ware. An excellent way to investigate sec- 
tarian belief is to begin by dissecting its 
vitals, — its foundation, — and if in the be- 
ginning you are asked to accept the impos- 
sible, to believe a system that must upset the 
whole or a part of the eternal order of man 
and things, then give it up, for it has not 
enough truth in it to repay you for the waste 
of time spent in the investigation. In other 
words, see that you are not led away by self- 
mesmerism or otherwise into accepting the 
impossible, even on faith. There is a way 
just as demonstrably correct as the science 
underlying the principle of music and math- 
ematics, but in ignorance it has no part; 
hence your inexcusable duty to your Intel- 
ligent Creator here, dear reader, is to seek 
the undivided garment of Advanced under- 
standing and so be at peace with self and 
your Creator while you work out the facts 
of eternity. No one can do your spiritual 



149 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

work for you any more than he can suc- 
cessfully accomplish your material duties. 

It is true that we depend largely upon 
theory, but the right way is the most un- 
complicated one, and therefore, the best 
way, as far as we are concerned. But the 
moment you subscribe to any form of 
human doctrine you virtually yield up your 
personal right to self-government, and, 
to a great extent, relinquish your hold upon 
your higher individuality. 

To live right brings happiness to our door, 
but to do so does not necessitate becoming 
a fanatic. Indeed, forms of every descrip- 
tion make arduous work out of Christian- 
ity, since they are all more or less based 
upon speculation and superstition. Then let 
us endeavor to find the "Happy medium. " 
We should not hesitate to act when 
duty requires. They who care not who ad- 
ministers good and p>iifre government are 
.also enemies to progress and will eventually 

150 



Reform, Not Formalism. 

find a well-grounded fear for careless indif- 
ference. It is delightfully apparent that if we 
"Learn our way in truth" and honesty, we 
will have little to regret and nothing to fear. 
Then who shall presume to dictate terms 
and say by what means we shall investigate 
the science of Being, thus retarding our spir- 
itual progress by building up timidity and 
fear. Who did hinder you that you do not 
understand? will be the important question. 

To understand the spiritual interpretation 
of the Word is to possess the key to heaven 
— "Eternal Harmony." This understand- 
ing is the "Pearl of great price;" it is the 
"Bread that cometh down from heaven, 
whereof ye shall eat and never hunger;" it 
is the seed that was to be sown by the way- 
side, the "New Tongue," the "New Heaven 
and the New Earth," wherein old conditions 
have passed away and "Behold! all things 
are become new." Whereas, ignorance is 
the sin of unforgiveness, and is all 

I5i 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

that will ever need to be lost sight of, 
it is the cause of all sin, suffering and 
sorrow. Ignorance loses precious time for 
us in rioting and remorse; it is the one evil 
that we ever need to fear; but the carnal 
reward must be removed before we can rap- 
idly advance, and psalms and sermons will 
not prove sufficient in the future, any more 
than they have in the past, nor will they hold 
mankind longer in bondage contented with 
the wages of ignorance. 

"Search the Scriptures; for in them ye 
think ye have eternal life; and they are they 
which testify of me." — Christ. All religion- 
ists will agree that the Scriptures are an in- 
spired work. Then, if this be correct, it must 
necessarily require inspiration to understand 
them aright. "Would you ask figs from 
thistles, or grapes from thorns?" As well 
might you to do so as to expect to imbibe 
the spiritual through the literal sense of 
things. "The letter killeth, but the spirit 
maketh alive," said Paul; and I might say 
152 



Reform, Not Formalism. 

this is why we cannot formulate a literal 
limited plan, for acquiring this spiritual 
knowledge, and this also, is probably the 
reason why the Great Teacher invariably 
spoke in parables, and established no special 
form of doctrine. Even He could not al- 
ways bring the minds of the multitude to 
readily comprehend the dawn of this New 
Light; it comes gradually and "Not with ob- 
servation, "Ye have eyes and see not, ears 
and hear not," He said ; and our course was 
to be, "Precept upon precept, here a little 
and there a little," as we work up to the high 
goal of this glorious understanding. Fur- 
thermore, He declared, "That the hour com- 
eth, and now is when the true worshiper 
shall worship the Father in spirit and in 
truth," not in forms or in fear. Perfect 
Understanding casts out fear; and I can 
not agree with some advanced thinkers that 
a little of the Light is worse than to possess 
none. It was a little leaven that should 
leaven the whole lump, so potent is truth. 
153 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

The seed by the wayside was to. fall in 
some places thirty fold, sixty and an hund- 
red fold. Permit me to say, as yet, the 
hundred fold are few. 

Perhaps the most difficult points for 
a beginner to grasp, in the study of Ad- 
vanced Spiritual teaching, or for the teacher 
to impart to the student, is the nothingness 
of discord, — the falsehood, which, when un- 
derstood, you will recognize to be the result 
of ignorance, a mistake that you will 
never again fear nor respect. The above 
thought, and man's true relation to his Mak- 
er, seem to be the two great sticking points 
to comprehend. Recollect that intelligence., 
like a reflector, expresses the Divine Light 
of life, love and truth; but keep the line of 
demarcation well drawn, for the Light is 
not, cannot be in the reflector, but vice 
versa, as "In God we live, move and have 
our being/' Again, the rays are not in the 
reflector, they are of the reflector, and so it 
is this reflected light may glance, as it were* 
154 



Reform, Not Formalism. 

and illuminate — though less brilliantly — 
the darkened chambers of thought. Then 
the receptive human senses catch clear 
glimpses of the true Li-ght, and are thus led 
on into higher and brighter views until dark- 
ness entirely disappears, and in its place 
shines the spiritual effulgence of intellectual 
Light. "And God said 'Let there be light, 
and there was light,' and God saw the light, 
that it was good ; and God divided the light 
from the darkness," — ignorance from intelli- 
gence. 

In "Nature's mirror" behold ! there 
beams the spark of Divine Light which casts 
its reflected rays out upon the receptive men- 
tality of man, in the sense that in life we 
live, move and have our existence — Individ- 
uality — but not in the opposite or pantheis- 
tic sense. This is the Idea that must be 
made clear to your mind, first and last; 
while the dignity, possibility and power of 
individuality are the constant declarations 
to be affirmed in consciousness, thus becom- 
155 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

ing a law unto ourselves. Living right for 
righteousness sake, and not merely through 
fear or compulsion, should be our aim in life. 

There is nothing that will ever be lost or 
needs to perish but ignorance, and that per- 
fect state of society so long sought for, 
will be reached only in proportion as we live 
in a thought too broad for creeds. 

Rituals of every name and nature have a 
tendency to monarchize and divide the life 
interests of mankind, and then it becomes 
an impossibility to establish the oneness of 
Brotherhood and to reach that high goal 
foretold by Prophets and the Nazarene. 

"That faith is best and truest 
Which is world-wide in its span; 
That church and creed the highest, 
Which brings most good to man." 

I believe when the time comes and it is 
found necessary to cease following in a cer- 
tain direction in order to improve our cir- 
cumstances and obtain better conditions for 

156 



Reform, Not Formalism. 

mankind, both socially and morally, we 
should stop ! "Face about I" and not make ex- 
cuses and plead, "Suffer it to be so now." 
Remember the dispensation of forms and 
ceremonies was suffered, fulfilled and cleans- 
ed from consciousness and allowed to float 
peacefully away on the purifying waters of 
the Jordan, over nineteen centuries ago ; and 
thus, while it is right to give credit 
for the good that has been accom- 
plished in the past, it is wrong, dishon- 
est and unjust to continue to uphold and 
support systems that are not absolutely pro- 
lific of man's highest interests in the future. 
Especially after we begin to see the incon- 
sistency of the former trend of circum- 
stances. No matter how beautiful the the- 
ory or whom we may chance to disappoint, 
we should accept the good only, and de- 
nounce the error, under whatever covering 
it may be presented, for only by so doing 
can we deal justice to ourselves and our fel- 
lowman, even though he may not be will- 
157 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

ing or able to perceive our good motive at 
the time. We must expect to be often 
severely criticised and misjudged for doing 
right; but, "Shall we not be about our 
Father's business," and recognize first, as 
at last, that we will be forced to see where 
we cannot be Christ Christians under unjust 
systems of formalism and usurary gather- 
ings? It is right to proselyte to convert 
into advanced ideas. To draw away from 
old, erroneous customs and practice. 

Where would we be today if it were not for 
the many advanced ideas in vogue? Would 
we not still be riding behind the weary 
ox and straining our eyes out under the sick- 
ly flame of the tallow dip, while bowing \a 
submission to the whipping-post as in the 
days of yore ? Suppose our forefathers had 
refused to accept the new inventions and to 
have been converted over to newer and better 
views. Think you that it would have been as 
well for humanity in the present age? 
Because a system is ancient, and you mav 

158 



Reform, Not Formalism. 

have that deep feeling of devotion for it, this 
signifies little in the correctness of a theory. 
Many of the pagan idolaters, are the most 
sincerely convicted worshipers at their 
shrine known on earth, to-day. So in relig- 
ion, as with much else in this life, discon- 
tent is often salutary. Discontent is as 
surely the father of advancement as "Ne- 
cessity ever was the mother of invention." 
Discontent brings false conditions to the sur- 
face where they can be recognized and de- 
stroyed. 

The day is coming and is not far distant 
when every man will say no more to his 
neighbor, here is truth and there is truth, 
but every one, from the last unto the great- 
est, will know and understand for himself. 
Yea, the day of ritualism is rapidly drawing 
to a close, the Diana of ignorance has been 
shattered and useless formalism is lessen- 
ing as the years roll by; the broad-minded 
will no longer accept limitation or imita- 
tion. 

159 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

True, a few may continue to say, the time 
is not ripe, and " Suffer it to be so now;" 
yet they, also, will eventually rise above this 
yoke of human oppression and declare them- 
selves at an end with longer living in con- 
tention and, organizing into warfare with 
their fellow-man. But while truth must 
eventually triumph, the first and greatest 
victory to be achieved by mortal is to 
know and rule oneself. Perfect self-con- 
trol is a jewel that even monarchs might 
envy, and he who possesses this faculty 
wields a mighty scepter for justice, liberty 
and truth; so it is individual as well as 
universal reform, not formalism, that we 
want. We should cease to confound relig- 
ious ceremony with true Christianity. 



1 60 



Utupriroa AttatorriL 



CHAPTER IX. 

To be spiritually minded is life and peace. — 
Romans, 8:6. 

What is GOD? — The Great Enveloping 
Infinite Principle of Intelligence, the "Force 
that holds eternity in order." I can give no 
better definition than that in scriptural lan- 
guage : Spirit, Life, Love, Light, the Word, 
Truth. 

Who or what is man? — Man is what the 
Bible declares him to be, the image and 
likeness of his Creator. He is the off- 
spring or ray from intelligence. 

Is the human body man? — No; it is 
simply the sensitive instrument of the senses 
whereby mortals are enabled to perceive 
feebly a glimpse of the true individuality of 
man. 

Are the Carnal Mind and body one? — 
161 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

No; mortal body is the innocent instrument, 
ever harmonious when governed by intelli- 
gence, instead of the mistaken "Erring 
sense," or the wrong conception of persons 
and things. 

What is the "erring sense? — It is nothing 
more or less than the expression of igno- 
rance — sin. A lie ; nothing in fact, after you 
learn its origin. , 

Do you adhere to any special school of 
mental healing? — No; since wishing to be 
like the Great Healer, I believe in trying all 
things and holding fast to that which is 
good. I am in fact a non-sectarian, Mental 
Eclectic — a Christian Truth-Seeker. 

Are the forces of will-power employed in 
"Christian Mental Healing?" — If you have 
reference to blind, stubborn will-power. No. 
If you mean striving for righteousness, in 
the sense of "Thy will, not my will." Yes. 
In "Christian Mental Healing" you must 
recognize the power of Divine will, and in 
order to do this you must know how to 
162 



Inquiries Answered. 

summon the true nature to your assistance. 
Human will-power is not the method of 
"Christian Mental Healing. ,, 

Should the "Christian Mental Practition- 
ers" be paid for their services ? — Jesus never 
charged. According to the financial system 
of to-day you might claim that He did not 
charge, yet history tells us that Hte and His 
disciples were supplied with all they had 
need for, which is, by the way, the most 
that money can procure at any time or in 
any place. See Tenth Chapter of Matthew, 
and read the last chapter of Acts; for what 
declared Paul, "If we have sown unto you 
spiritual things, is it a great thing if we 
shall reap your carnal things?" Besides, ia 
it not recorded that when Jesus sent His 
seventy disciples out to heal and preach, that 
He gave them particular instructions to 
shake the very dust from their feet, to im- 
mediately depart from any house or city 
wherein they were not hospitably received ? 
Then we have no right to accept the labor 
163 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

and monopolize the time and attention of 
another person without a reasonable remun- 
eration for their service. Furthermore, we 
appreciate and take more interest in that 
wherein we are obliged to make some ma- 
terial sacrifice. 

Can a person heal who is sinful or phy- 
sically ailing himself? — That depends al- 
together upon the circumstances under 
which the work is attempted. "None are 
without sin." I have known a number of 
healers who were not only successful, with 
the case in hand, but while giving the treat- 
ments to others they had actually brought 
about a cure in themselves. It is right — 
when called upon — to do our best under all 
circumstances. 

Is it true that all "Mental Healing" is 
accomplished through hypnotic or mesmeric 
influence? — No, indeed; not unless you al- 
lege that all good is from that source instead 
of truth, which is all present good. As well 
might you say that a mother's soothing in- 
164 



Inquiries Answered. 

fluence over her child who is ailing or has 
fallen down and is suffering from the injury 
is mesmerism, if so be she has succeeded in 
bringing about a state of harmony and pass- 
ivity by reasoning and convincing the child 
out of its fear. 

What are the necessary steps to be taken 
in order to do the healing work ? — Study un- 
der standingly the spiritual import of the 
Sacred Word, which you will find is the key 
to the principle of Divine harmony, and ad- 
here to the truth that makes free from sin 
and disease. 

We must seek for spirituality much the 
same as the natural musician or the artist 
forgets all else and searches for the inspira- 
tional effects of beauty and harmony. 

If you correctly comprehend how to sym- 
bolize the Scriptures and can interpret them 
into their original spiritual meaning, where 
you gain the infinite lesson from the many 
objects in truth's creation, then you possess 
the key to actual spiritual revelation. 

165 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

Truth must ever be symbolized by a sphere 
— the circle — the great revolving wheel of 
eternity ; and just as we look for light from 
the far-off East, so will its effulgence glow 
full orbed only as it reaches out to the gol- 
den shores of the West — out to the broad, 
placid Pacific, encircling the earth with the 
unbroken bands of Wisdom and "Universal 
Brotherhood. ,, 

Do you believe in Modern Spiritualism? 
— ? No; I could have no more faith in the ig- 
norance of the departed individual than T; 
have in the mistakes of those in the present 
state of existence. 

What think you of Heaven, is it a sacred 
locality provided for a select number? — No. 
That would be impossible, since it would be 
contrary to the nature of Deity; such a 
course would upset the law of love and make 
"God a respecter of persons." Heaven im- 
plies a perfect state of consciousness — Peace. 
"The Kingdom of God is within you/' 
said Jesus. 

j66 



Inquiries Answered. 

Do you believe in the Divinity of the man 
Jesus? — Truth-Seekers build not on person- 
ality, "either mortal or immortal." Jesus 
was a teacher, a Master of Spiritual Truths, 
"The way shower," an exemplary charac- 
ter. As the New Testament has it, "He was 
endowed with spirit without measure," but 
he himself declared, "If I speak of myself 
I speak a lie," "The words that I speak 
unto you, they are truth, and they are life." 

There is far more danger in retarding 
our Spiritual growth by leaning on person- 
ality and personal adoration than by not 
giving credit sufficient. 

Do you accept the Bible? — Yes, in its 
Spiritual sense, from Genesis to Revelation; 
and while not doubting it to be a correct his- 
tory of man and things, I lay very little 
stress on the literal significance of the Bible. 
However, as a "disciple of truth," I accept 
the spiritual import of the Scriptures as the 
guide through which we all may attain the 
understanding of everlasting life. 
167 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

Do you think the Bible is an inspired 
work ? — Yes; I recognize it to be a 
literal history of a spiritual truth; in 
other words, a compilation of literal sym- 
bols of a spiritual fact, and believe that in- 
asmuch as it is an inspired work, it requires 
inspiration to read it understandingly. Jesus 
said to the educated Pharisees of His day, 
"Ye do err, not understanding the Scrip- 
tures." If living in fear of a "wrathful God," 
a "personal devil," or a "literal hell," we 
can never hope to reach the blessedness that 
true freedom implies. "God is Love," and 
"Perfect Love casteth out fear," said John, 
and it is true. 

Do you believe in prayer? — Yes, but 
Truth- Seekers use the Lord's Prayer only, 
and neither change it nor invent long pray- 
ers. We believe not in the necessity for re- 
ligious incantations with their useless repe- 
titions, to an Anthropopathical God, but 
know that we must so conform our life in 
truth that it will be one long, joyful prayer; 
1 68 



Inquiries Answered. 

as St. Paul has it, "I declare that I pray al- 
ways." 

Will you give the definition of the Holy 
Ghost? — The Holy Ghost means Divine In- 
telligence—the dawn of Spiritual Knowl- 
edge. 

What is meant by the sin against the Holy 
Ghost, or the unpardonable sin, as it is 
called ? — The sin against the Holy Ghost, or 
the ''unpardonable sin," has reference to the 
human lack of spiritual understanding, a 
deficiency in the knowledge that will lead 
us all into truth. To prove this Jesus said, 
"And the Holy Ghost, the comforter, shall 
come, who will teach you all things." On 
the pentacostal day it was represented as 
the "Fiery Tongue," symbolizing the spirit- 
ual purification of knowledge, as, in the 
Scripture, He will baptize you with the Holy 
Ghost and with fire. 

What constitutes the Advanced Thought ? 
— "Christian Advanced Thought" explains 
practically the science of man's true individ- 
169 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

uality. It also furnishes the spiritual import 
of his positive existence. 

Do you believe in baptism? — Jesus was 
baptized. No; the real meaning of baptism 
is to cleanse the conscience through spiritual 
understanding. True, Jesus suffered Him- 
self to make concessions to this material 
symbol in order to fulfil the old dispensation 
that he might, "Without hindrance, enter up- 
on the New." He taught entirely by illustra- 
tion and spoke principally in parables — the 
New Tongue (Advanced Thought). 

Are not doctrinal beliefs popular creeds, 
and sectarianism necessary to man's highest 
spiritual attainment? — No, not if we are 
to judge them by their fruits — the only per- 
missible judgment. Like charity, their 
cloak often "Covers a multitude of sins," 
while hindering the march of true spiritual 
growth. 

Philosophic research, history, science, and 
their kindred studies, broaden the intellect. 
So is the spoken word, helpful to man's 
170 



Inquiries Answered. 

moral uplifting, and as the great Metaphy- 
sician commanded, we shall go in to all the 
world and preach and teach the word of 
truth, but we cannot name this saving prin- 
ciple from a human sense standpoint. We 
will find as did Jacob of old, that both the 
messenger and the message of truth are 
nameless, and cannot be reached through 
human code or title. 

What is meant by the Scriptural command, 
"Have ye the mind, which was also in 
Christ?" — It means spiritual attainment, re- 
finement, abstaining from fleshly excesses. 
"Get knowledge, get wisdom, but with all 
thy getting get understanding." — Isaiah. 

"Culture implies all which gives a mind 
possession of its powers," says Emerson. 
But the excellence of intellectual living does 
not exist merely in the perfection of speech, 
"But in a constant preference for higher 
thoughts over lower thoughts." 

"Here is the true secret of that fascination 
which belongs to intellectual pursuits, that 
171 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

they reveal to us a little more, and yet a 
little more, of the eternal order of the uni- 
verse, establishing us so firmly in what is 
known that we acquire an unshakable con- 
fidence in the laws which govern all things." 
All I see and know of truth, teaches me to 
trust the great eternal principle for that 
which I cannot yet see and do not know 
What think you of death ? Do you think it 
is possible for man to ever escape the ex- 
perience called death?- — Yes; that is, the 
sense of death ; although his exit will not be 
one of translation of the Body. Nor do I 
wish to infer that he will remain here for- 
ever. The time will come when the 
change shall be made without suffering. 
Jesus overcame death, but His mortal body 
was laid in a sepulchre; and when at length 
He overcame every mortal condition, even 
His material body disappeared to this sense, 
apparently from this plane of existence, 
Rather then, should we seek the right under- 
standing, that by so doing we may overcome 
172 



Inquiries Answered. 

the power of death's sting and the horror 
of the grave. 

Wherein do you differ from the average 
student of Christian Metaphysics? — I can- 
not say that I do in many respects. Perhaps, 
the fact that I do not believe in adhering 
to forms of any description or to any hu- 
man compilation of by-laws; yet, I do be- 
lieve that any one may suggest a noble idea 
or even give a just command; I also con- 
tend that all right thought is Divine Revela- 
tion and comes through inspiration, no mat- 
ter by whom it is voiced ; and that material- 
ity, while subject to change, proving its in- 
feriority, and very secondary compared with 
spirit, nevertheless comes in response to a 
certain necessary human demand for it. Not 
one iota of matter can be destroyed. This 
is a material plane and as far as the pres- 
ent conditions are concerned, matter is as in- 
destructible as the principle that governs all 
causation. Neither do I hold that the body 
is the offspring of a false concept or that 
173 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

it is the expression of error, only in pro- 
portion as it is controlled by ignorance. In- 
stead, it is the sensitive instrument of the 
senses and will express only right thought, 
when led by truth and love; neither do I 
believe that we will ever reach the full stature 
of perfection in the present grade of ex- 
perience; yet I do believe that our special 
work here is to improve our every oppor- 
tunity for "Divine Wisdom" that we may 
be prepared through the Advanced Thought 
for whatever state of consciousness we may 
next be found. I also believe in mankind 
exercising their right to self-government 
and free thought and maintaining this hon- 
est independence, unless they are reasonably 
convinced otherwise through actual demon- 
stration from both a material and mental 
scientific standpoint. 

Perhaps I may also differ from some relig- 
ionists, when I conscientiously insist that I 
do not believe it necessary or right, or in 
keeping with truth, to build magnificent tem- 
174 



In q uiries A nswered. 

pies and therein to perpetuate forms of any 
description which have no part in the sal- 
vation of man. I believe in building schools 
for moral and spiritually intellectual educa- 
tional purposes, not churches for symbol 
worship. We should be practical teachers 
and healers, not mere religionists. The 
Truth- Seeker stands for every progressive 
movement, be that from a social, moral, ma- 
terial or mental point of view. 

Are not the Truth-Seekers a religious 
sect? — As practical Christians, the Truth- 
Seekers neither fear nor entertain mysti- 
cism in any form. Our foundation is built 
on demonstrable Christian principles, and 
require no man-made by-laws for its ac- 
ceptance or protection. Furthermore, we 
believe in building schools instead of 
churches, for moral and spiritual training; 
''We teach how to live" — not how to die — 
confident that as we live, so shall we be — - 
physically, mentally, and morally attuned, 
both here and hereafter. 

175 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

We support teachers, lecturers and ''Chris- 
tian Mental Healers" (Divine counselors). 
"He that is thirsty let him come and freely 
drink at the fountain of spiritual knowl- 
edge." 

The Truth-Seekers' motto is, "Let there 
be no whispering among the brethren," and 
"Voice no error." "Noli malun co git are." 
We do battle with but one foe — ignorance. 
Although the Cross has long been the sacred 
emblem of history, the Truth-Seeker will 
remember no longer the Crucifixion and lives 
only in the Resurrection ; and with the stead- 
ily burning flame of "Christian Advanced 
Thought," let us seek to illumine the dark- 
ened haunts of human character and with 
the fiery tongue of truth we will abolish ig- 
norance and bear onward the true message 
of absolute freedom to all mankind. 



176 



(fiaitrlugum. 



The author of this little volume has not 
attempted an extensive explanation of or 
protracted argument upon this stupend- 
ous question, believing as she does that "A 
hint to the wise is sufficient." Beside, most 
books written on this subject are usually 
crammed with useless theory, and there- 
fore, are often misleading in their state- 
ments; hence my object for stating briefly, 
while not thrusting deeply within this inex- 
haustible realm. The unpractical I wish to 
avoid, hoping thereby to be somewhat in- 
strumental in assisting to check falsehood, 
ignorance and mysticism. 

Nor do I claim the conception of any new 
ideas in particular, save perhaps the indis- 
putable fact that our highest spiritual at- 
tainment here is impossible under sectarian 
rites and ceremonies, where even a vestige 
177 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

of dogmatic forms remain; also that the 
mortal body in its edonic state before it has 
partaken of the lie of ignorance, is beyond all 
cavil the innocent instrument of the senses, 
and as such is in line with truth's appointing 
and not the offspring of the false concept, 
the "Carnal Mind." 

My principal desire, however, is simply 
to give you the benefit of my many years of 
actual experience and unprejudiced research, 
trusting that you may read and think for 
yourself, as you hasten along the "rugged 
pathway" of this busy life. 

My intention in writing this book has 
been an effort at a fair, reasonable and hon- 
est commentary, timely given, as I hope, 
touching both ancient and modernly Ad- 
vanced theories; and although they have 
been voiced more or less in every age 
since enlightenment first dawned upon the 
mind of mortals, they never can grow unin- 
teresting to the Advanced Thinker. Further- 
more, I believe that the much needed 

i 7 8 



Conclusion. 

reformation is half accomplished if once you 
can get mankind started to thinking out this 
all important question for himself. 

We may uncover the principle of Being, 
give an inkling of the true idea to work 
from, though were it possible to do so, we 
should not attempt to impart all; something 
must be left for self to reflect upon in order 
that we retain our positive individuality. You 
must work out this great life problem for 
yourself if you would make the understand- 
ing yours, and so take a step higher in the 
scale of existence. 

I am not unmindful that even in this en- 
lightened age the feminine voice is not uni- 
versally appreciated when heard within the 
realm of science, politics or religion; never- 
theless, if you will disarm whatever linger- 
ing, antiquated prejudices you may still 
have and hold closely the golden thread of 
thought connection, you cannot fail to dis- 
cern the living, palpitating pulse of the 
"Christian Advanced Thought, " and that. 
179 



Pulse of the Advanced Thought. 

too, without reading between the lines. 
"Let our every effort be such as will help the 
life of the future." 

If instead of gold or even fame we could 
impart the gift of an uplifting thought into 
the heart of our fellow-man, that would be 
serving GOD as best we can and giving as 
heaven doth bestow. 

1 list, and lo ! the message came; 

Thy work was well begun; 

The stream has changed its mighty course, 

The world to overcome. 

The light hath broke that darkened spell, 
My bark moves on at will; 
Beneath Thou, guiding hand of love, 
For truth doth now propel. 



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